Summer of fun as pop-up spaces and activities transform the city centre

The city centre will be coming to life over the summer months with a jam packed calendar of activities starting at the end of July.

Whether you want to relax on a deck chair at City Beach, soak up the sunshine at one of our pop-up spaces or get involved with one of the many activities, there is something for everyone!

The end of the month will see the ever popular pop-up park returning to Cookridge Street during the school summer holidays and a dedicated programme of family friendly activities launching on 29 July with the start of Child Friendly Leeds (CFL) Sundays.

Every Sunday from the end of July to the beginning of September CFL will be bringing a range of free activities and events including arts and crafts, marshmallow toasting and much more to children and young people in the city centre. For more information, visit: https://breezeleeds.org/about-breeze/child-friendly-leeds-sundays.

Alongside these new events, the first ever Child Friendly Leeds Live will be coming to Millennium Square on 8 August, featuring live entertainment for children under 12 from star of CBeebies Andy Day and his band ‘Andy and the Odd Socks'. These events are the result of competition entries and ideas that were submitted by children across the city around making Leeds city centre more child friendly.

Further events include a Roller Disco at Kirkgate Market between 28 – 31 August and a whole host of music performances across the city centre.

Alternatively, if you just want to find a space to put your feet up, you can lounge back on one of the many deck chairs scattered across the city centre courtesy of Leeds BID, visit City Beach as it returns on 11 August – 2 September in its new home at Victoria Gardens, or take time out in a second pop up park in front of the iconic Leeds Town Hall (August only).

Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, said:“It’s absolutely fantastic to see so many activities and events happening across the city centre this summer.

“With so much on offer, I hope that everyone is able to enjoy the summer festivities and celebrate what a fantastic city Leeds is for all ages”.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:“We were thrilled that so many young people took part in the city centre competition; their ideas are vital as we continue our mission to make Leeds the most child friendly city in the UK! The Child Friendly Leeds Sunday’s project is made possible due to the remarkable contribution of our ambassadors and we are extremely grateful for their support. Child Friendly Leeds Live also promises to be a really exciting event and we hope that by offering child friendly events right in the heart of the city centre, families are encouraged to come and enjoy all there is to offer.”

For more information on all the pop-up spaces, events and activities happening in Leeds this summer, visit https://whatson.leeds.gov.uk/, follow @leeds_city_ctr and @Child_Leeds on Twitter and ‘like’ the Child Friendly Leeds Facebook page.

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Notes to editors:

Additional events and information as follows:

Pop up and Play on Victoria Gardens (22 July – 5 August)A Pop Up and Play pavilion will host a two-week programme of free activities and events, giving young people and families the chance to make environmentally-friendly junk sculptures, craft their own bird feeders and create origami birds under an innovative geodesic dome.

Pop up Parks, Cookridge Street (during school summer holiday) and in front of Leeds Town Hall (August only)Two pop up parks will be coming to the city centre. You can find them on Cookridge Street and in front of Leeds Town Hall.

Indoor Play at St John’s Centre (Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am-1pm)Taking up a temporary residency on the upper level of St John’s Centre in the shop unit which was previously Jumbo Records, ‘Pop In and Play’ sessions will be held every Wednesday and Thursday between 11am - 1pm.

Peace Garden at St John’s Centre (school summer holidays)Located in St John’s Shopping Centre garden, there will be free colouring materials, picnic benches and blankets.

Deck chairs in various locations (all summer)Leeds BID have now put out 120 deck chairs across various locations in the city centre including Central Square, Park Square, Sovereign Square and Bond Court.

Music performances in various locations (throughout summer)As part of a partnership between Leeds BID and Leeds College of Music (LCOM), various artists from LCOM will be performing in a variety of locations including Park Square, Wellington Place, Sovereign Square and more. For more information visit: https://www.leedsbid.co.uk/summer-in-the-city-2018.

Firehouse Fitness Yoga Session in Park Square (27 July)Leeds BID are providing a free fitness yoga session in Park Square between 12 – 1pm for employees of levy paying businesses. Registration is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leedsbid-does-yoga-tickets-48157508404.

Play Day at Peace Garden, St John’s Centre (1 August)A special event will be hosted by Leeds Play Network featuring craft activities and a tea party in the St John’s Centre and their new family friendly Peace Garden outdoor space.

Pay as you feel caféFuel for School in partnership with Bracken Edge Primary School are hosting a pay as you feel café in The Light 11am till 3pm week commencing 6^th August. The café is open to everyone and will also include a pay as you feel food market as well as children’s activities.

Child Friendly Leeds Live on Millennium Square (8 August)Hosted by former CBeebies presenter Alex Winters, there will be 2 x 3 hour sessions (10am-1pm and 2-5pm) which will include heats of the ‘Breeze has Talent’ competition and performances from Rainbow Factory and DAZL. Tickets cost £4 per session and can be purchased online or in person from Leeds Town Hall Box Office (children must be accompanied by an adult). For more information visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/childfriendlyleeds.

City beach on Victoria Gardens (11 August – 2 September)City beach returns to Victoria Gardens featuring a wide range of family friendly activities including summer themed fairground rides and beach games.

Junk Playspace on Cookridge Street Pop up Park (18 - 19 August)Partnering with SCRAP, recycled play resources will be provided and replenished at the Scrap Play tent. Play workers will lead play and inspire children and families that want to get involved!

Roller Disco at Kirkgate Market (28 – 31 August)Roller Disco is coming back to Kirkgate market between 28 – 31 August. Tickets cost £3.50 (plus booking fee) for a 30 minute session. The disco will be open between 9:30am – 4pm. Buy tickets here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedsmarkets/news/roller-disco

Child Friendly Leeds SundaysEvery Sunday morning during the summer holidays there are a range of free events and fun activities taking place at across the city. A full list of activities can be found here https://breezeleeds.org/about-breeze/child-friendly-leeds-sundays.

Child Friendly Leeds City Centre MapCheck out our Child Friendly Leeds City Centre Map that was developed with children and young people in Leeds. Download our map and see what new places you can discover with your family! https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/maps-and-more/.

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Joely Ewbank, Leeds City Council press office

Tel: 01133782355

Email: joely.ewbank@leeds.gov.uk