The Exchange
@theexchangeleeds.bsky.social
West Yorkshire’s new independent newsroom 📰 Backed by readers. Built for the region. Part of @millmedia.bsky.social Send tips to our reporters @braddeasjourno.bsky.social and @miajankowicz.bsky.social
Absolutely gripping reporting from @braddeasjourno.bsky.social about Leeds's tallest residential tower — if it ever gets built.
The Exchange@theexchangeleeds.bsky.social · 23h agoThis is Gareth Morgan, the managing director of CityLife. CityLife are building Leeds' most luxurious new residence, Sky Gardens. It's a lodestar of the South Bank's regeneration and is attracting the elite and loaded of the city. It was also meant to be finished in June.
This is Gareth Morgan, the managing director of CityLife. CityLife are building Leeds' most luxurious new residence, Sky Gardens. It's a lodestar of the South Bank's regeneration and is attracting the elite and loaded of the city. It was also meant to be finished in June.
‘15:05 — Jamie messages me to say Magic Rock is finished’ That was the message a brewer at Magic Rock sent to his partner when administrators were called in, in 2025, before it was taken over. 1/3
Welcome to our first ever writer's edition, this one from @braddeasjourno.bsky.social ✍️. Get to know one of our two staff writers a bit more intimately. No prizes for guessing one of Brad's biggest passions.
Here's today's briefing, with some huge news: 🏗 Sky Gardens is in jeopardy with the Leeds-based construction firm behind it on the brink of "collapse" 🐑 An interesting plea from PETA for the owner of a former textile mill in Bradford theexchange.news/sky-gardens-...
Sky Gardens: Luxury apartment tower in jeopardy as construction firm on brink of ‘collapse’
Dear Exchangers — we welcome you to today’s newsletter on the back of a busy old week. Mia was solely steering the ship last week, while Brad was on a well-deserved holiday. But now we’re back to ful...
theexchange.news
Cities dismantled their tram networks to become “motor cities of the future”. The result? You could travel further within 30 mins via public transport in 1957 than you can in 2026. Cities are seeking billions to rebuild networks. Incredible piece of work this.
The Exchange@theexchangeleeds.bsky.social · 2w agoIf you stood on Briggate at 8am on a weekday in 1957, and stood there again in 2026, in which year could you reach more of the city in half an hour? Samuel Bancroft has crunched the numbers. Since the 1950s, Leeds has got bigger - but the city has effectively shrunk.
If you stood on Briggate at 8am on a weekday in 1957, and stood there again in 2026, in which year could you reach more of the city in half an hour? Samuel Bancroft has crunched the numbers. Since the 1950s, Leeds has got bigger - but the city has effectively shrunk.
After an eight-week standoff, Kirklees Council finally has a leader — Reform's Sarah Wood, who got over the line with the help of a handful of Tory votes. We got behind the scenes of the decision that broke the stalemate: theexchange.news/kirklees-tor...
Kirklees Tories handed Reform power. They’re already regretting it
'I’ll be doing my damnedest to remove them next year'
theexchange.news
Your West Yorkshire briefing for today: 💾 Skelton Grange data centre plan sees massive pushback 💧The US company paying less than £10k/year for West Yorkshire spring water 📱Reform councillors under scrutiny for posts 🚴♂️ The Jo Cox Way is ready to set off again theexchange.news/skelton-gran...
Skelton Grange data centre pushback grows but council stays firm
Plus: the American water company extracting West Yorkshire water for less than £10k a year
theexchange.news
Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves is out as Chancellor
“Sometimes I massively regret being the face,” says Myers of his business. This is unexpected: GetBaked might just be Leeds’ biggest export since Tom Zanetti. But Myers himself is no hometown hero. “Cunt,” is the verdict on Reddit.
GetFaked: how a star baker confected his enemies
Rich Myers went viral for airing his haters online. Turns out they weren’t real
theexchange.news
Absolutely riveting stuff from my colleagues @braddeasjourno.bsky.social and Moya Lothian-Mclean for @theexchangeleeds.bsky.social: What really drives Get Baked’s Rich Myers? And who is really baiting him? theexchange.news/getfaked-how...
GetFaked: how a star baker confected his enemies
Rich Myers went viral for airing his haters online. Turns out they weren’t real
theexchange.news
Rich Myers is Leeds' biggest export since Tom Zanetti. GetBaked, his bakery business, is huge, with viral cakes and £10m turnover. He's known as the 'UK's rudest baker' for his abrasive online exchanges. Thing is, a lot of them are made up, he reveals.
GetFaked: how a star baker confected his enemies
Rich Myers went viral for airing his haters online. Turns out they weren’t real
theexchange.news
"I’ve been perplexed by Samuel Smith’s for the best part of 20 years" 🍻 Where to start after the death of the mercurial Humphrey Smith?
TODAY'S READ: Working class bookworms vs the middle class literati. 📚 That's how author David Barnett encapsulates the two book festivals vying for readers' attention in Bradford this week.
BREAKING: Three people have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and bribery at University of Greater Manchester, @molliesimpson.bsky.social reports. Greater Manchester Police are investigating the alleged misuse of as much as £1.7 million. manchestermill.co.uk/breaking-thr...
BREAKING: Three people arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and bribery at University of Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester Police are investigating the alleged misuse of as much as £1.7 million
manchestermill.co.uk
Here's your news from us today: 🍺 We consider what's next for Samuel Smith pubs in Leeds and West Yorkshire following Humphrey Smith's death 📺 Christa Ackroyd spoke to us and paid tribute to former Calendar presenter John Shires after his sad death last week theexchange.news/whats-next-f...
What’s next for Samuel Smith pubs in Leeds and West Yorkshire?
We seek your thoughts on the venues he left behind.
theexchange.news
An absolutely fascinating read for you today, courtesy of our guest writer Thomas Barrett, who has already treated you to an insight into the history of the Lee Gap Fair and whether the end is nigh after 900 years.
🚨 We’re hiring a Senior Editor 🚨 We need an exceptional editorial leader - someone who can edit ambitious journalism, develop writers, and help shape the direction of one of the most exciting teams in British journalism.
When a large encampment appeared outside Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court a few months ago, the "content creators" quickly piled in. A prime example of everything wrong in Bradford, they said. But what was actually happening at the site? 1/3
Now then, Brad Deas here - journalist at @theexchangeleeds.bsky.social. If you know me, please give me a follow. If you don't, but enjoy my writing, please follow. Everyone else? Also, please follow. Got something for us to look into? Get in touch at: brad@theexchange.news
Today's briefing is out! Including 👛 Kirkgate shopping centre in Bradford finally closes its doors 🍽 Dishoom announces Leeds move 📝 Update on Kirklees council chaos as Mayor Tracy Brabin enters the fray ☀️ Scorching temps 📖 Dystopian graphic novels And so much more! theexchange.news/the-slow-dea...
The slow death of a shopping centre
Plus: Dishoom comes to Leeds and a new dystopian graphic novel
theexchange.news
My 1st story for @theexchangeleeds.bsky.social is up! It started with a build proposal that sent chills down the spine of anyone who loves Belgrave Music Hall. But it took a turn, and ended up ... oddly reassuring — at least, for students tired of peak-market rents. theexchange.news/leeds-is-in-...
Leeds is in the ‘finding out’ phase of its luxury student tower boom
'One of Leeds' most important music/cultural venues should not be replaced with another soulless student tower'
theexchange.news
Our Monday briefing is out! Featuring: 🖼️Tributes pour in for Bradford born legend David Hockney 👮Heavy police presence at Dortmund Square immigration protest 📹 Good news for local creative students 🐦A nice spot of urban birdwatching And more! theexchange.news/death-of-a-l...
Death of a legend
Tributes pour in for David Hockney. Plus: a truly adorable cottage, and where to watch England’s first game
theexchange.news
Microsoft is going to start building three "hyperscale" data centres in south east Leeds next year. Is that a good thing? Our mid-week read: theexchange.news/the-hypersca...
The hyperscale data centres are coming. Should we welcome them?
'These are not factories that employ lots of people from local communities. They are big sheds, full of computers.'
theexchange.news
"One side is saying: ‘Why can’t we just go ahead?’ and the other is saying: ‘Why can’t you just follow this procedure?’” We dug into why the tram has been put back - and whether it will eventually happen... theexchange.news/yes-we-tram/
Yes we tram?
As the mass transit psychodrama rolls on, the chancellor says one thing, but her civil servants say another
theexchange.news
We can't think of a better way to spend a rainy morning... though we can't promise this article will "lift your spirits"...
Patrick Reid@oldmandoc.bsky.social · 2mo agoLooking out the window at terrible weather, and wondering how to lift your mood? Well, can I interest you in a long read about the Leeds team by @theexchangeleeds.bsky.social ?
🗣 “My mum met my dad at the fair.” After nearly 900 years, one of West Yorkshire’s oldest traditions is under threat.
Our first official edition is here - and it’s a big one. A council deadlock that’s left Kirklees without a leader, a £100m bus order reshaping transport across West Yorkshire, and a look at whether Leeds is losing its independent beer edge. Plus peregrine falcons picking Bradford over Leeds.
