Caddick Construction appointed by Moda for SOYO build

Caddick Construction have been chosen to deliver Moda’s 515 build-to-rent apartments which will make up the first phase of SOYO.

Designed by award-winning DLG Architects, the rental homes will be spread across two C-shaped 16-storey blocks, with a new public courtyard in between, and rooftop terraces overlooking the city. The on-site amenities are unrivalled, with shared lounges, flexible workspaces, a cycle hub and health and wellbeing facilities – all included in the rent.

Other services include 24-hour hotel-style concierge and round-the-clock professional management, while the MyModa app takes care of any maintenance issues, communicates with the concierge, books events and acts as the apartment key.

Moda Leeds will be known as ‘New York Square’ as a nod to nearby New York Road, and its synergy with performing arts and culture.

Together with Apache Capital Partners, Moda has a pipeline of over 7,500 rental homes in eight cities across England and Scotland. Other Moda projects under construction or complete include flagship Angel Gardens in Manchester, The Mercian in Birmingham, the city’s tallest consented residential tower, and The Lexington in Liverpool, a 35-storey, 325-home tower.

Build-to-rent – known as multifamily housing in the US – is popular in North America, where it has been around for decades but has only started to take off in the UK. Cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham have all seen a lot of build-to-rent activity and New York Square will be one of the first, high quality build-to-rent schemes in Leeds. 

The homes at New York Square, where Moda will develop and operate the buildings for the long term, will be a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. A unique two bed sharer layout will provide the perfect solution for sharers – two equally-sized bedrooms, with en-suites on either side of a shared living space, allowing for greater privacy, reduced noise and no arguing over who gets the biggest room.

The development forms a key part of the new £300m SOYO neighbourhood being delivered by Caddick Developments, another sister company of Moda Living.

In addition to the 515 Moda rental homes, SOYO will include a new hotel, bars, restaurants, further residential, a multi‑storey car park as well as high quality public realm and open green spaces, The West Yorkshire Playhouse has also recently competed an extensive refurbishment.

Caddick Construction is also building Moda’s flagship Angel Gardens project, a 35-storey, 466-home tower in central Manchester close to where Amazon is opening its first UK HQ outside of London. Moda will welcome the first residents to Angel Gardens in October this year. 

Other Caddick Construction projects include the £33 million Hudson Quarter development in York, creating three luxury residential blocks totalling 122,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft of office space.  Recently completing the £43 million redevelopment of the Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds home to Super League team Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Caddick Construction, Caddick Developments and Moda Living are all part of the Yorkshire-based family-run Caddick Group, which reported a record turnover of over £200m this year.

Follow @livethemodalife and @soyoleeds to keep up with the action.

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

Follow the yellow brick road to the newly refurbished Leeds Playhouse, and join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion on their journey to the Emerald City. 

Keep reading to find out more about this year’s Christmas play and how you can get your hands on a pair of tickets to the Wednesday 26th November performance. 

Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining talks about his fresh, dynamic take on The Wizard of Oz – and why it’s the perfect show to mark the theatre’s first Christmas in its newly redeveloped home

Why have you chosen The Wizard of Oz for the Playhouse’s first Christmas after its £15.8 million redevelopment?

‘The Christmas show in the Quarry at the Playhouse is a big event that attracts tens of thousands of people. For many, it’s a special occasion that marks the festive season, so we’re always looking for a show that can unite an audience in celebration.

‘The Wizard of Oz is a story of people triumphing over challenging odds. It’s full of peril, jeopardy, excitement and hope, but it should also make people feel inspired, positive and joyful.

‘Theatrically, it gives us the opportunity to make the most of the amazing space that is the Quarry Theatre. It’s a chance for us to stage a fantastic, affirmative theatrical event. The notion of ‘there’s no place like home’ is particularly interesting because, this year, we’re back in the theatre after our redevelopment. It’s brilliant to welcome people back with a show of this scale – it feels appropriate as a celebration of the monumental year we’ve had.’

What, for you, are the key themes of The Wizard of Oz? And what new elements are you striving to bring out?

‘The story is so well known but now, having worked on it so closely, I have found lots in there I hadn’t recognised or maybe had just taken for granted before. It really repays a fresh look.

‘It’s about a child who’s let down by lots of people, particularly adults, and isn’t having an easy time. She has to battle really hard to discover who she is and, in the process, she enables other people to discover who they are and what their positive and affirmative qualities are.

‘The approach we’re taking is to make it feel as inclusive as possible so that it represents a contemporary view of the world rather than an old-fashioned view. It’s a cherished story still very much set in its original time, but ours is a modern telling that’s very accessible to audiences.’

You’ve chosen two young local actors to play Dorothy – 12-year-old Agatha Meehan and 14-year-old Lucy Sherman – and have also cast a young ensemble. Why was this important to you?

‘Having a child play Dorothy brings out the jeopardy of the story. As soon as a child steps into Dorothy’s ruby slippers, the whole energy of the piece changes. There’s more vulnerability and an increased sense of responsibility on behalf of the adults for the child, for someone so young and small. I’m also very conscious of having young people in the audience watching the story and identifying with the protagonist – that’s a very powerful thing.

‘Lucy and Agatha are working so hard. The show asks a lot of them, but they are really excellent. I’m so impressed with them; they’re both very skilled and talented and also have a wonderful open enthusiasm.’

Why is the character of Dorothy still so beloved by audiences?

‘Dorothy helps liberate people and communities by her actions, and her personality – she’s always completely without ego. She takes other people along with her, inspiring them to make a change in their own lives. The potential of a child to change the world is a really powerful idea. Adults can often be much more aware of risk, failure and disappointment. What I find interesting here is that you have a child who’s put into a position where she has to act beyond her years, and she achieves everything she sets out to do.’

What can people expect from Leeds Playhouse version of The Wizard of Oz?

‘All the classic elements will be there – the ruby slippers, the yellow brick road, the Wicked Witch – but there will be so much more besides. Aerialists, puppetry, real animals – our aim is to not only match people’s expectations but to surpass them. We’re also using projections to energise the aesthetic and bring a new dynamic element to the show.

‘For me, the yellow brick road is an interesting metaphor. It’s obviously a real thing in the story but it also represents a journey, growth and companionship. Also, for me, it represents faith; not in a religious way but in the possibility of achieving something that initially seems impossible. It shows how, if you set out with purpose in good company, you can achieve a goal that you never could have imagined achieving by yourself.’

 What’s your personal relationship with The Wizard of Oz?

‘I don’t know whether it’s a generational thing, but when I was growing up there were films that seemed to be on the telly all the time, every year, and The Wizard of Oz was one of them. The story has entered the national consciousness to a certain extent. There are certain lines in it that have become iconic, almost Shakespearean in their recognisability. Like “I’ll get you my pretty” and “I’m melting” – they’ve become part of popular vernacular.’

Has working intensely on The Wizard of Oz changed your view of the story?

‘Working so closely on it means I’ve got to know it really well. The Wizard of Oz is such a complex and interesting story that it has almost taken on mythological proportions, moving beyond its narrative and becoming a powerful emotional arc.

‘The technique of having a reality that is, in effect, in a dream world is something I’ve realised I’ve done quite a lot in my other work, in other shows, almost subconsciously referencing The Wizard of Oz as a source idea. The idea that there is a reality and then there’s an alternative reality based on that reality is a very rich, dramatic and incredibly neat structure to make a piece of work from.’

Who do you think Leeds Playhouse production of The Wizard of Oz will appeal to?

‘It’s tempting to say “all the family”, but it’s a story that reaches even further than that, to people who don’t have a family, to everyone in fact. It’s a great story that, as the Playhouse, we will deliver with an integrity, depth and warmth.’

What makes The Wizard of Oz in the Quarry special? What sets it apart?

‘For me, it’s not just about the songs and the spectacular elements, it’s about interrogating the story, and making it clear and gripping and exciting. I want to make it about something; about courage and friendship and the possibility of transformation and community.

‘We will, of course, deliver on the songs and the dancing and the spectacular elements, but with added dynamism and freshness. I want people to experience things they didn’t expect to see.

‘It’s a family show, but it’s also more than that. It’s a classic story, and we do classic stories very differently at the Playhouse. We respect the original, but present it in a way that feels fresh, modern and completely unexpected.’ 

Book tickets now! https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/the-wizard-of-oz/

Alternatively for the chance to win a pair of tickets head over to our Facebook, Linkedin, or Twitter pages and answer the question – what is the name of Dorothy’s dog?

SOYO AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS TICKET COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS

  1. When entering this competition, entrants confirm that they have read and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions and guidelines stated below.
  2.  The Promoter of this prize draw is SOYO Leeds.
  3.  The Promoter is offering entrants of this promotion a chance to win 4 x tickets to a performance of The Wizard of Oz on Monday 13th January at Leeds Playhouse.
  4.  To qualify entry for this prize draw, entrants must comment the correct answer to the question “what does the Tin Man want to ask the Wizard for” on Instagram and Facebook.
  5.  Entrants must be UK residents. This promotion is not open to any employees of the Promoter or any of their affiliate companies, their families, agents or anyone else connected with this prize draw.
  6.  One entry is permitted per person. Late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible, entries will not be accepted.
  7.  This promotion is open to entries from 6th January 2020 – midnight on 9th January 2020. There is one prize to be won. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-exchangeable and there is no cash alternative offered.
  8.  The Promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of greater or equal value.  In the event of circumstances outside the promoters reasonable control, the Promoter reserves the right to temporarily or permanently, discontinue or modify this promotion without prior notice.
  9.  The winner will be selected from all valid entries received during the promotional period, winner will be selected using a computer process that produces a random result and announced on the 10th January 2020.
  10.  Each winner will be notified within two working days of the draw via Facebook direct message or Instagram direct message to the account from which the entry was made and will be asked to provide their full name, email address and relevant contact details. If a winner fails to respond within 1 working day of this notification, a redraw will take place from the remaining valid entries to select a new winner.  If any winner declines a prize or fails to respond within the required period, they forfeit any right to the prize.
  11.  The prize is to be collected at the Leeds Playhouse Box Office before the chosen performance on Monday 13th January. Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize, once selected, the date of performance cannot be changed.
  12.  The Promoter does not accept responsibility lost, misdirected or delayed entries. It also does not accept responsibility for software failures, network or computer issues.
  13.  The Promoter reserves the right to remove  any inappropriate or offensive entries and disqualify any entries if the Promoter, at its sole discretion, believes that there has been an attempt to manipulate or tamper with the operation of the promotion (including, without limitation, by setting up multiple Instagram, Facebook or other social media accounts in order to submit multiple entries).
  14.  You agree to be bound by the decisions of the Promoter, which are final in all matters relating to the promotion.

The best places to eat in the city centre for Veganuary

The best places to eat in the city centre for Veganuary

We know that most of you will be wanting to slim down and squeeze back into those old pair of jeans this year. And of course, January is the best time of year to give things a whirl before you inevitably quit by the end of the month (for most, not all). Some people are giving up alcohol for the month, others are quitting smoking and most of us aim on eating healthier.

Fear not! We have compiled a list of the best eateries in Leeds’ bustling city centre for everybody who’s going bold and giving ‘Veganuary’ a go. Let’s get exploring!

East 59th

Let’s start with brunch! Brunch is fast becoming a new way of eating, living and socialising and East 59th have you covered with their ‘Dirty Vegan Brunch’ menu. Located on on the top floor of Victoria Gate, East 59th is fast becoming one of the slickest hotspots in the city centre. And with their vegan brunch menu consisting of 2 courses for £15 or three for £20 with a Detox cocktail, it sounds pretty good to us!

Issho

If you’ve finished your brunch, why not wander next door to Issho? Issho is a beautiful Japanese restaurant with an incredibly varied menu for all to try. Don’t believe us? Just check out their vegan menu, they’ve got something for everybody. And it all tastes pretty spectacular.


The Wardrobe

Next on our list of must-go places is The Wardrobe. This popular bar/restaurant is just a stone’s throw away from the Leeds Playhouse and they’re boasting a sophisticated vegan menu this month. Make sure you also check out their Facebook page as they’ll be hosting an array of vegan related events throughout January. Why not check out their Veganuary menu:

from the Leeds Playhouse and they’re boasting a sophisticated vegan menu this month. Make sure you also check out their Facebook page as they’ll be hosting an array of vegan related events throughout January. Why not check out their Veganuary menu:

The Old Red Bus Station

If you’re on the hunt for something different, venture down to The Old Red Bus Station. It prides itself on being Leeds’ first all vegan food outlet and they boast an incredibly varied menu for all who are interested in going. They’ve got an incredible variety of diner style dinners and some great boozy beverages to go with your meals.

Crafthouse

If you’re looking for some informal fine dining, why not venture to Crafthouse, located in Trinity Leeds, you can head through or take the glass elevator up from just next to The Botanist. At Crafthouse, you’re guaranteed a luxurious meal in one of Leeds’ most beautiful restaurant settings with a gorgeous view of the city.

Bundobust

One of the most talked about locations in Leeds is Bundobust. The restaurant has continued to thrive since their opening and it’s not hard to see why. Bundobust is the go-to place in Leeds for an excellent vegan dining experience. The vegan restaurant is the place where most meat eaters even enjoy to go for a change of scenery.

We hope these little must-go locations will be perfect for you noble Veganuarians. This well definitely kick you off into the new year with style, who knows, it may even be the start of a whole new you!

Coming to see ‘Kes’

‘Kes’ has been watched and loved by generations of northerners (and the rest of the UK) for years now. It’s a cultural masterpiece and being taught to school children ensures the spirit of this classic is kept alive.

Ken Loach’s acclaimed British film focuses on 14-year-old Billy Casper. Kes is a heartwarming tale about a boy trying to find himself in the world. Billy is a troubled working-class lad living in Barnsley. He’s subjected to abuse at school as well as in his home life. After finding a kestrel on a nearby farm, Billy begins to take an interest in falconry and he his life starts to change.

“It’s fierce, an it’s wild, an’ it’s not bothered about anybody, not even about me right. And that’s why it’s great.” 

The critically acclaimed film is an adaption of Barry Hines’ book ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ which was written in 1968 but is still as poignant today as it was when it was first published. Ken Loach then released the film just two years later where it became an instant hit. 

Kes at Leeds Playhouse

The stage adaption of Kes has been brilliantly portrayed by the two-man cast at Leeds Playhouse. Lucas Button portrays the role of the young Billy Casper and he puts in a stellar performance of the troubled young boy. Jack Lord plays the role of ‘Man’. Jack brilliantly portrays all the other major characters in Billy’s life. Everybody from the man who runs the evil headmaster, the brutish PE teacher, his troubled mother, Jud the bullying older brother and the teacher who encourages Billy to follow his passion in falconry.

Barry Hines’ stellar novel has been adapted for stage and opens at Leeds Playhouse on 25th January, running until 16th February.

If you’re coming from out of town and you want to get the full ‘Yorkshire’ experience before heading to the theatre, why not check out some of Leeds’ best-loved boozers and traditional eateries. 

Whitelock’s Ale House

Whitelock’s Ale House is the oldest pub in Leeds. It was first founded in 1715 as The Turk’s Head before being taken over by the Whitelock family in the 1880’s. 

This gorgeous traditional pub also extended into the row of Georgian working men’s cottages where it was described as ‘the very heart of Leeds’ by English poet and broadcaster John Betjeman. The bar still features significant traditional 19th-century furnishings, from rich mahogany woodwork to low beamed ceilings and original beer mirrors.  Food critic Jay Rayner said that the people of Islington would sell their granny for the copper bar tops!

The Pack Horse

Records suggest that there was a pub on the site of The Pack Horse as far back as 1615! Despite closing and opening several times its has retained a very rich history over the decades. Royalists were entertained during the English Civil War; it has been home to a dancing school, and even spent some time as a theatre bar. Not only does it fit the traditional ‘pub’ aesthetic, you can sup a pint while enjoying one of their delicious Pieminister pies with mash and gravy. It doesn’t get much more traditional than this!  

The Adelphi

Another popular pub filled with history. Built in 1897, The Adelphi is filled with Victorian charm. Located just by The Tetley, this building actually became a Tetley Heritage pub in 1978 and later became a Grade II listed in 1994. Etched glass, tiled floors and mahogany fittings really sends you back in time as you venture into this beloved Leeds pub. We’d recommend one of the great craft beers with your Cherry Orchard Sausage and Mash. And if beer isn’t your thing, fear not, The Adelphi also boasts and extensive wine list and a curated G&T menu. 

We hope these will get you in the spirit for this fantastic production. It’s not a show to miss so make sure you grab your tickets fast! https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/kes/#tickets

“He called the Kestrel ‘Kes’… as he would a friend.” 

NEW PUBLIC SCULPTURE TO CHAMPION WOMEN’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN LEEDS

This article was first published on the Leeds Arts University website. 

An exciting new project managed by Leeds Arts University, Leeds City Council and Rachel Reeves MP is seeking to commission a public sculpture to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in Leeds.

The project, conceived by Rachel Reeves MP, is now looking to coammission an artist to create an iconic public sculpture to represent the accomplishments of multiple women in the city, creating a more balanced gender representation of public sculpture in Leeds.

It is proposed the artwork will be located at the heart of the new development of Gateway Court at Quarry Hill, home to BBC Yorkshire, Leeds College of Music and Northern Ballet, and sited prominently at the top of a green landscaped, tiered public space visible from Eastgate and The Headrow.

The public will be given the opportunity to see the shortlisted artworks in an exhibition held in the new gallery at Leeds Arts University in May 2019. The selected artist will be paid a fee of £10,000 for the piece, which is expected to cost approximately £40,000 to be produced.

The project is seeking applications from artists ideally based in the UK, with experience of delivering public projects on a similar scale. The deadline to submit is 21 September 2018 and any interested artists can find out more at HERE

Rachel Reeves, MP Leeds West, said:

“It’s incredibly exciting that after many months of planning with Leeds Arts University and Leeds City Council, we are another step closer to creating a city centre sculpture that truly celebrates the women of Leeds.

The achievements of women have been under-represented in local art and culture for too long but the Artist’s Brief, which invites artists to submit their ideas for a sculpture commemorating women’s achievements, is a fantastic opportunity to develop the city’s cultural offering.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the ideas put forward for this project and would encourage as many artists as possible to get involved in this historic piece of work”

Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University, said:

“It has been a pleasure to be involved in this project, particularly since some of the world’s most significant sculptors are alumni of Leeds Arts University, including Barbara Hepworth. The project will offer a new opportunity for established, and up-and-coming, artists to propose how we can celebrate women’s contribution to Leeds with an innovative and thought-provoking new sculpture.

We are looking for work that will stimulate debate and inspire the next generation of women to be bold and confident in what they can achieve.”

We love Leeds’ Light Night

Silent discos, fire breathing dragons and giant humanoids on the high street – that’s what happens when Light Night Leeds 2018 takes over the city!

Leeds shone this year as Light Night took over town. Dazzling lights in many shapes, forms and sizes across each zone, the city saw thousands take to the streets over two evenings to enjoy the spectacle. Even the drizzle couldn’t keep people away!

Light Night is organised by Leeds City Council, who with the support of various sponsors, operate different light installations across multiple city centre zones and with art installation contributors from all over the world. SOYO Leeds were excited to be a part of it this year sponsoring the SOYO Zone!

Kicking off with an illuminated parade down the Headrow, the city was filled with people admiring the awe inspiring multi-arts and light displays. Families were out in force to see the best of the best with crowds congregating in the Station Zone outside Queens Hotel to see ‘Forgotten’, a piece by Create Studio from Belgium, who brought to life a fire breathing dragon, awakened and seeking vengeance from it’s entrapment (so legend has it) – a clever blend of projection and pyrotechnics.

Another highlight was the Millennium Square Zone based ‘CHAOS’, projected onto Civic Hall, created by Hotara Visual Guerrilla from Spain and inspired by University of Leeds research to explore chaos through light, sound and movement.

Moving toward SOYO Zone, the Tom Dale Company from the UK brought their mesmerising work ‘I Infinite’ to the Northern Ballet. This fully immersive piece of part dance and part video installation explored the organic and digital worlds. St Peter’s Place was transformed into a disco dance floor and guests were equipped with LED headphones (and the occasional spandex) for a vibrant silent disco by Buffet, from the UK, followed by an equally illuminating after party hosted by The Wardrobe.

The Leeds College of Music outside performance space was home to the ‘Mirror Stage’, a large scale installation by Gillian Hobson from the UK and local restaurant Aagrah cooked up street food wraps and offered a selection of gin cocktails. Over at Leeds Minster, on display was the ‘There but not there’ installation, representing the men of Leeds who went to war but never returned, .

Light Night Leeds upped the ante this year with close to 60 installations spread across the city centre zones. Plans are in place next year to host the event across three evenings to include even more, so keep your diaries free for 2019.

LEEDS PLAYHOUSE

Leeds Playhouse is one of the largest producing theatres in the north. Founded in 1970, relocated in 1990 and relaunched this year with a new name, plan for refurbishment and a vision clearer than ever.

As well as their stellar tours and homegrown performances, Leeds Playhouse offers a thrilling programme of creative engagement – participatory activity that opens up possibilities for people regardless of their age, circumstance or background, and an innovative creative crucible for thrilling, reflective, resonant work that speaks to the city.

JOHN LEWIS

John Lewis and Partners is at the heart of Victoria Gate – a modern extension to the iconic Victorian arcades, collectively known as Victoria Leeds.

As well as housing some of their best products and services under one roof, John Lewis and Partners focus on sustainability and the importance of keeping local brands alive. Their loved&found department champions independent designers and provides a platform for unknown or up and coming artists to promote their work to the masses.

THE WARDROBE

The Wardrobe is all things for all people. Upstairs, a multi functioning bar and kitchen serves up some of the best eats and drinks in the city. Downstairs, the basement venue hosts amateur comedy acts and unsigned musicians alongside some of the biggest names in the business.

As one of the city’s oldest and most loved venues, The Wardrobe have a very carefully curated series of events running, with something to enjoy on most nights of the week.

We’re partnering with Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse has announced a five-year cultural partnership with SOYO as part of the landmark Playhouse redevelopment project. Confirmed as a Principal Capital Partner, SOYO (part of the Yorkshire-based Caddick Group) provides a welcome boost to the Playhouse’s redevelopment and vital financial support through this period of revitalisation.

SOYO, the £300m redevelopment within Leeds’ cultural quarter, has pledged a long-term commitment to supporting West Yorkshire Playhouse, alongside Moda which is delivering hundreds of new homes for rent at SOYO. They will join Irwin Mitchell as Principal Capital Partners of the Playhouse’s redevelopment

The £14m redevelopment project, led in partnership with Leeds City Council, will be funded by £4.4m from the City Council, alongside a £6.6m Arts Council England contribution and £3m from the Playhouse’s own resources (including a fundraising target of £2.3m). The proposals for the redevelopment which will mark a vital new chapter in the Playhouse’s long history will see the building transformed and modernised to include changes and improved access to the theatre, a new city-facing entrance and the addition of a new studio theatre space in the Bramall Rock Void.

The five-year partnership includes financial support for Leeds Playhouse’s redevelopment, which is due to start in June 2018, as well as support for the Playhouse to continue to produce great shows during the construction works. The centrepiece of the collaboration is the Playhouse’s Pop Up theatre, in association with SOYO, which will temporarily transform a workshop space on the Playhouse site into a 350-seat theatre, presenting a full and varied programme throughout Autumn 2018 to Spring 2019.

This innovative, long term partnership creates a unique opportunity to experience the Playhouse as it has never been seen before in an environment changing and growing into SOYO  at the heart of the cultural quarter of Leeds.

Leeds Playhouse Executive Director Robin Hawkes said: “The Playhouse is delighted to work with Caddick Group and help develop the vision for the SOYO neighbourhood. The Playhouse redevelopment will generate a new focus for the city and establish a base to attract artists and creatives from across Yorkshire and the North. We are proud to be partnering with a business that shares a passion for Leeds and an ambition to build the future of the cultural quarter.”

Myles Hartley, MD at Caddick Developments, the company behind SOYO, said: “SOYO is proud to be collaborating with its neighbours to create one of the best places in the UK to live, work, play, learn and be entertained. Since our initial discussions, West Yorkshire Playhouse has been a keen supporter of SOYO and our vision to create a heart & home in Leeds’ most culturally significant area, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Playhouse and especially to our association with the Pop Up theatre over the coming months.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, added: “Leeds City Region has a strong cultural heritage which resonates internationally and is a key driver for investment. The news of this new partnership between SOYO and West Yorkshire Playhouse is fantastic for both the city and the region, and I look forward to the opening of the Pop Up theatre in Autumn 2018 which will continue the Playhouse’s tradition of great programming during the redevelopment.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “Following our recently launched cultural strategy and £35m programme taking us to Leeds 2023, we will soon announce the ‘Our Spaces’ strategy transforming and developing our public realm and city spaces into cultural venues. It’s pleasing therefore to see developers understand the benefits that culture and collaboration can bring in today’s partnership between this landmark development and West Yorkshire Playhouse, which is a welcome example of both and our ambition for the city.”

This story was originally published at https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk