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Motiv8 North: Personal Training, Fitness Classes & Gym Membership

motive8 North was created by Nick Sadler, MD of motive8 Ltd and Jenny Cromack, a local Personal Trainer. Jenny had been personal training in Leeds for over 4 years and worked for motive8 as a freelance trainer, when Nick found out about Jenny’s ambition to open her own studio it seemed a natural partnership to create motive8 North. Since opening the studio all of Jenny’s clients have transferred to the studio, which has meant that motive8 North have had to employ another personal trainer, Chris Baird, to cope with the demand of extra clients.

Motiv8 North

The studio was initially designed just for personal training, however they realised that personal training is not for everyone so decided to launch a small group exercise studio too. The team wanted to hold classes which were a bit more personal, so class numbers are limited to 8 to 10 people, this means the instructors can make sure clients are working with the correct techniques and also that everyone is working hard enough!

There is a great team of class instructors who teach various classes including Zumba, Pilates, Dance Aerobics, Box Clever, Circuit Training and many more. Classes are available early mornings….for the early birds, at lunch times….for those who like to re-energize on their lunch break, and after work…..to help de-stress from a hard day at the office.

Motiv8 North

Once the doors of the studio opened Motiv8 North also had requests to see if they would offer a gym membership, therefore they now offer a small membership. This has been very popular with those people who work nearby as they can just nip in for a workout during their lunch breaks or after work.

The motiv8 North team wanted to create a training studio which was known for getting results with clients, but one which was also less intimidating than larger gyms and health clubs can sometimes be. Many of their clients comment about the community feel at the studio and it is great to see the same faces returning week after week for the classes. They feel that this community atmosphere fits in well with the community spirit of Holbeck Urban Village as a whole.

7 Marshall Court, Marshall Street, Leeds, LS11 9YJ. www.m8north.co.uk

Motiv8 North

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New LOOP Arts Fair Launches in Leeds this June

June 17th-19th sees the launch of the first LOOP Arts Fair in Leeds. For one weekend a selection of the UK’s most exciting and original contemporary illustrators, graphic designers and applied artists will be relocating to Leeds, transforming Marshalls Mill, made available by Igloo Regeneration and the Holbeck Urban Village into working studios, print shops, publishing houses and workshops.

Curated by Jay Cover of design collective Nous Vous, LOOP Arts Fair is the first applied arts weekender of its kind in the north of England. Holbeck Urban Village has gained a reputation as a desirable area for creative companies and an area renowned for innovation from an age when the area served as a powerhouse of the industrial revolution in Leeds. Jay cover picks up this theme: ‘applied arts act as a catalyst for social evolution, responding to ever changing social, environmental and economic concerns. The artists are dynamic innovators.’

LOOP Arts Fair is a celebration of current UK graphic arts and illustration talent. The UK is recognised as producing some of the most innovative and dynamic graphic artists and designers in the world; with artists such as Nous Vous, Jez Burrows, Analogue Books, Matt Hodson and Drew Millward regularly working on national and international projects ranging from exhibitions to magazine illustrations, online journals to poster designs, workshops to book stores.

Split into three strands, WORK, TALK and PLAY, LOOP Arts Fair will see open studios, workshops and exhibitions from artists including Matt Hodson, Qubik, Nous Vous, Analogue Books, TOY, Jez Burrows, Lizzy Stewart and more. More than an exhibition, this is a rare chance to see inside the artists studios, meet the artists, see work being made. There will also be the chance to buy limited edition prints at the LOOP Arts store, as well as being invited to join in live workshops designed specifically for guests to the event.

TALK at LOOP sees a full conference programme on Friday 17th with artists and studios including Drew Millward, Jon Boam, Matt Hodson, Lizzy Stewart and TOY.  As well as talks, discussions and roundtables by artists and studios across the weekend, TALK is a chance to delve deeper into some of the themes and issues in current graphic arts and design.

LOOP will also host a programme of daytime and evening entertainment. PLAY will be a series of fun and lively events, including music, live art and interactive activities. The LOOP opening party on Friday 17th June will feature live drawing from Best Joined Up collective. On Sunday 19th June, Kibbo-Kift close the weekend with an evening of spoken word and live music performance. Over the weekend, Leeds’ favourite Out of the Woods café will be in residence serving delicious food and drink.

LOOP Arts Fair is running from Friday 17th – Sunday 19th June, day tickets from £7 and weekend passes £20. For more information and to get tickets, visit www.looparts.co.uk

LOOP Arts Fair has been developed in partnership with Jay Cover of Nous Vous, Neil Owen of Test Space, Laura Wellington of Duke Studios, Anita Morris Associates and supported by Igloo Regeneration and Holbeck Urban Village.

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Wonderwood offers free WiFi so workers in Leeds can stay connected outdoors

Summer is in the air but during the day, workers still find it difficult to drag themselves away from their desk to take a few moments to enjoy the warmer weather for fear of missing that all important email.

However, now those who work and play in Holbeck Urban Village can take their laptops or phones outside and stay connected for free as the much-loved ‘art park’ Wonderwood, which nestles in the heart of the Round Foundry development, offers free WiFi.

Since its creation in 2009, the publically accessible Wonderwood miniature park has become a popular green oasis for workers, transforming as yet undeveloped land and  serving as a welcome break-out area.

Now, anyone can connect to free WiFi outdoors simply by accessing the network called ‘Wonderwood’. No key or password is needed to access it.

The Round Foundry development, which is owned by sustainable investor Igloo Regeneration, includes listed foundry and mill buildings, offering contemporary work spaces that have attracted many creative businesses into the Media Centre which is already home to more than 40 companies.

The area is also known as a haven for foodies with its independent and acclaimed cafés, bars and restaurants including David Street’s Café, The Engine House, The Foundry,  Midnight Bell, Pickled Pepper and Out of The Woods.

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Duck Egg Theatre Company & Temple Works call for performers

Duck Egg Theatre Company in partnership with the Breeze International Youth Festival are offering a very special project giving drama students in Leeds the opportunity to create and perform a brand new piece of theatre in the Temple Works, Holbeck.

They will create their own production company and work with a professional Theatre Director and choreographer to put together a piece around the theme of ‘hometown pride’, using the fantastic surroundings of the Templeworks as inspiration.  The building stands proud in Holbeck’s landscape as a symbol of Leeds’ impact on the world through industry.

Duck Egg Theatre Company Education Director Haley Cox stated “The great thing about putting together site-specific theatre is the unique journey you take your audience on.  This project will force the participants to think of theatre in an entirely different light.  It is an amazing opportunity for any budding theatre actors, directors and even designers.”

Duck Egg Youth Theatre member Sophie Roberts (18) said “I can’t wait to get started on the project and explore the site.  It looks like an amazing building.  I have so many ideas already about how we can use the space and I am looking forward to transferring my ideas into a performance.  It’s a great show to put on my drama school application”

To get involved you must be aged 13-19 and be able to attend the rehearsals and performance dates (24th and 25th May 6:30-8:30pm, 30th May – 3rd June 10am-3pm, performance on 3rd June at 8:30pm).  To book a place on the project contact Duck Egg Theatre Company on             07723 371833      , haley@duckegg.org.uk or visit www.duckegg.org.uk for an application form.

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First national Green Film Festival Premieres across the UK

Premiering in five cities across Britain, the first national UK Green Film Festival, which runs from 20 – 22 May 2011, will show a selection of the best films, documentaries and shorts that highlight climate change and other environmental issues.

Produced by volunteers from Igloo Regeneration and with formative links to the San Francisco and Washington DC environmental film festivals, this pioneering new film fiesta will feature world and UK film premieres along with some new takes on environmental classics.  It will be held at independent cinemas in Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester and London, spreading wider in 2012.

Alongside feature length films being shown at the festival, short film makers are being invited to submit their work to be shown as part of the festival.  Igloo’s John Long, one of the festival founders, said: “Igloo is working closely with creative industries in each of this year’s launch locations so we are conscious there is local filmmaking talent out there that may find this festival an ideal platform to promote their material to a wider audience and also bring important local issues to light.  At this stage, we’re keen to hear from anyone who thinks they might have something of relevance.”

The UK Green Film Festival is the brainchild of Igloo’s Chris Brown and John Long.  Igloo are a specialist development and regeneration manager committed to a policy of sustainable development designed to deliver benefits to four key stakeholder groups (the local community; creative industries; regeneration agencies; institutional investors).  Working with influential property investor clients including Aviva Investors, Igloo is reshaping the investment landscape for urban regeneration and proves a worthy advocate for this thought provoking new festival.

Chris Brown commented: “Concerns around the environment and sustainability are increasingly moving from being a minority issue to much more of a mainstream interest.  We want to do whatever we can to raise awareness of these issues and are conscious that people want to know what they can do in their own lives to make a difference – the UK Green Film Festival will do both and we are looking forward to what we think will be a fun, informative festival experience.”

The participating cinemas in 2011 are; Chapter in Cardiff; Glasgow Film Theatre; Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds; Phoenix Square in Leicester and Shortwave in Bermondsey, London.  Each will be programming screenings with a supporting line-up of events being planned including talks and Q&A’s by filmmakers and guest speakers, outdoor bicycle powered screenings, live music and more.

http://ukgreenfilmfestival.org/

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Urban village welcomes Asda’s second Leeds-based HQ

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New owners for Pickled Pepper bistro

An award-winning Leeds restaurater has shown confidence in the Holbeck Urban Village, taking on a tenancy agreement for the area’s original food outlet, the Pickled Pepper.

Richard Gibson of the stroom Restaurant in Pudsey has now leased the high class bistro premises on Saw Mill Yard, owned by Igloo Regeneration.

Mr Gibson says; “I am already feeling quite at home in the Holbeck Urban Village. I have been searching for some time for a high class venue through which to expand my catering operation and feel that the Pickled Pepper offers the right environment for potential growth.”

The Pickled pepper opened in 2004 and is a unique bistro and trendy eatery offering fresh and vibrant sandwiches and paninis to take away, a funky ‘dine in’ bistro menu and an outside catering service.

The company now has 19 staff in Leeds and Pudsey and will be extending opening hours at the Holbeck venue throughout the summer.

For more information and/or images, please contact Natalie Gibson on 07818 447 102.

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New survey to understand Leeds creative sector

A survey has been commissioned by the Creative Leeds partnership, made up of Leeds City Council, Leeds Initiative, Leeds College of Art and Leeds Media.

For the first time in seven years, the survey aims to get a true reflection of the sector, which can then be used to inform policy makers and funding agents in Leeds.

Whether you are a part-time artist or a CEO of a globally recognised digital agency, this questionnaire is for you. So please take five minutes to complete the survey.

Take part in the survey now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Leeds_CDI_Study

The survey, the first of its kind in Leeds for seven years, aims Take part in the survey now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Leeds_CDI_Study

The survey is run by the Creative Leeds Key Agencies Task Group. The information that policy makers currently have about the sector is not up to date, and doesn’t provide a true reflection of the sector, so this survey is crucial to helping improve the information that the city has.

Take part in the survey now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Leeds_CDI_Study

All the data will remain strictly confidential, anonymous, and will not be distributed to any third party. If you have any questions please contact Sue Tuck on (0113) 395 0735 or email creativesurvey@leeds-art.ac.uk

Take part in the survey now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Leeds_CDI_Study

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Railway station’s southern gateway given the green light

Responding to the announcement by the Department for Transport today that funding has been confirmed for the new £14.4m Leeds Station Southern Entrance, Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves said:

“This announcement that our revised bid for the scheme has been approved will be extremely good news for the thousands of rail passengers from across West Yorkshire for whom the new entrance will mean quicker and more convenient daily access to train services.

“The project, which could be completed by the end of 2013, will also go some way to improving the station’s status as a gateway to Leeds.

“With over 100,000 people passing through Leeds station every weekday and a significant number of them now heading to business and leisure locations to the south of the city centre, Metro has pressed for the development of this new entrance that will provide them with step-free access to the station via escalators and lifts at the western end of the station bridge.

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Granary Wharf sweeps the board at 2010 RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards for architecture

For the first time, the prestigious Building of the Year accolade has been awarded to three buildings that make up one development, Granary Wharf in Leeds, from developers ISIS Waterside Regeneration:

Candle House, Leeds – Careyjones, Leeds
Mint Hotel (the rebranded City Inn), Leeds – Allies & Morrison, London
Watermans Place, Leeds – CZWG Architects, London

The panel of judges likened the scheme to Pavarotti singing as part of the three tenors – separately fantastic but when all three are put together they make something magical. They commented: “Granary Wharf is a group of buildings that individually have made a significant contribution to their townscape, but collectively make a new destination for the City of Leeds.”

All three Granary Wharf buildings won gold in the RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards for Architecture.  Mint Hotel also took home an Interior Award while both Candle House and Watermans Place won Housing Awards.

Dara Mulcahy, Chief Operating Officer at ISIS Waterside Regeneration commented: “We are delighted that Candle House and Watermans Place have been honoured in the White Rose Awards, especially in a year of such strong contenders.  Candle House and Watermans Place make Granary Wharf a landmark destination in Leeds and to be recognised by the RIBA is truly fantastic.”

David JM Orr, Chief Executive of Mint Hotel commented: “It is wonderful to be recognised by RIBA Yorkshire for our Leeds hotel. We work very closely with architects and designers over many years now to craft and achieve what we hope will be exceptional modern buildings that are also exceptional hotel buildings.  We try to create a platform, a stage for our teams to deliver day in day out the service culture and ethos of our hotel brand.  The pioneering SkyLounge concept, originated in our Westminster and Manchester hotels and then further developed by us in Leeds where it has proved to be very popular with guests of the hotel and citizens of this great city, a window of optimism for meetings, business and relaxation on the skyline.  As we open our Tower of London hotel on the 20th December and Amsterdam next Spring there will be two great new hotels in these cities all featuring an invention from Leeds.”

2010 has been a record year for the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Yorkshire White Rose Awards with 32 awards presented to the most outstanding architecture in the region, cementing Yorkshire’s growing reputation for interesting and excellent architecture, at an exclusive prize giving ceremony at Sheffield City Hall on Friday 26 November 2010.

Images: Rick Harrison

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