Leeds is certainly one of the cities in the North of England. Contrary to many pre-conceptions, the city has a vibrant, youthful feel about it, and also has some of the best clubs in the country, not to mention a branch of Harvey Nick’s...fancy some retail therapy, dahling...
However, both Leeds and many parts of the university seem to have suffered at the hands of 60s architects and developers. This period, not known for its architectural beauty, has resulted in a mass of concrete structures. Despite this there are many glorious Victorian buildings in the town, including the Town Hall, City Museum, Henry Moore Gallery and the Grand Theatre.
Socially Leeds has much to offer. Thanks to the tolerant council, Leeds is an all-night town with many clubs and bars open until the early hours. Some of the best clubs include, the Fruit Cupboard, and the Warehouse. If you are a serious drinker, and fancy a closer look at the gutter, try the Otley Run, an infamous 14 pub pub-crawl, which includes such fine establishments as the The Dry Dock (which is on a boat). Other picks by the students we talked to are The Library and The Courtyard. For those looking for something slightly different there's the West Indian Community Centre where you'll find some of the city and, dare I say it the country's, best up and coming Dub, Trance and Techno artists. If cheese is and traditional clubbing is all you're after try Evolution, Heaven and Hell and Creation. All in all drinks are cheap, so your student loan will stretch that little bit further.
This is what one journalist had to say:
Leeds is another northern industrial town trying to convince everyone who has never been there how stylish it suddenly is – all lattes, loft apartments and Lacroix. Trouble is reality reveals quite a different story.
Credit where it is due- using a single department store as evidence of an entrire city’s regeneration is clever PR, but it is stretching credulity a bit thin. The first Harvey Nicks outside of London is full of gawpers wandering around saying things like “Ere, Joan, hav’ you seen the price of them sling-backs.” Then trotting off to find the bargains.
While understated little black numbers may be in vouge in the capital, they may appear a tad out of place down the bingo hall. In Leeds, the preferred look is more lepard skin and diamante.
Near Harvey Nicks the smattering of so called trendy restaurant and hotels that have opened up caterer largely for out of towners who have bought into the hype. We are not saying Leeds hasn’t got great pubs, nightclubs and beautiful countryside on its door step. Its just that you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, so the tourist board should forget trying to push the Versace and Chanel image and admit the reality of mushy peas and shell suits.
