The 2023 line-up for Leeds International Festival of Ideas has been released, and it’s all taking place in a brand new venue.
The huge event will bring together some of the most thought-provoking speakers of our time and is well worth the trip across to our neighbouring city.
Taking over the Leeds Playhouse will be a diverse programme and educational discussions, The Hoot reports.
Giving a glimpse of what we’re in store for this year, LIFI has announced the first of its highly-anticipated speakers.
Best-selling author and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax will be bringing her unique brand of humour to the festival as she takes the audience on her journey to address the importance of mental wellness.
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Ruby Wax is “thrilled to be a part of the line-up”. / Image: Supplied
The author, performer and activist is excited about joining the festival: “Leeds International Festival of ideas 2023 looks really exciting and I’m thrilled to be part of the line-up this year. I can’t wait to visit Leeds again and take audiences on my journey to mindfulness.”
Steven Bartlett, perhaps most notably known as the podcaster Diary of a CEO, co-Founder of Social Chain, and also as an investor on Dragon’s Den, amongst other business endeavours, will be taking to the stag to share an insight into ‘how he spots the next big thing’.
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Steven Bartlett will be telling Leeds how he ‘spots the next big thing’. / Image: Supplied
Bringing an insight into representation and inclusivity in the media, reality TV star and LGBTQ+ activist Bimini, will also be a key speaker at the International Festival of Ideas.
And this is just the beginning.
The four day festival promises to host a programme of panels and keynotes which focus on topics such as grief, political systems, womxn’s health inequalities and self-sufficiency, among others from Wednesday 27 September – Saturday 30 September 2023.
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Bimini is bringing a wealth of knowledge to LIFI23. / Image: Supplied
And what better venue than the Leeds Playhouse?
The award-winning cultural hub was recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards as the Most Welcoming Theatre in 2022. With a mission to seek out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds Internationals Festival of Ideas, will be joining the long list of exciting productions, festivals and events that Leeds Playhouse have hosted over the past 50 years.
Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas has commented: “We are thrilled with the programme we are bringing to the city for LIFI23, built on the outstanding success of last year, we think it is our strongest speaker line-up yet.
“We’re also hugely excited to be presenting the festival at the incredible Leeds Playhouse, on of the most famous theatre venue in the city, a privilege and an honour.
“LIFI23 will once again address some of the most important social issues affecting us all, taking them on over 4 inspirational days across 11 events and shining an outspoken light on Leeds, projecting the city once again as a bold, innovative thought-leading city.”
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The full lineups and tickets will be available from Tuesday 4 April but in the meantime those wanting to grab tickets are encouraged to visit the Leeds International Festival of Ideas website to sign up for announcements and ticket updates.
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads revealed
Emily Sergeant
New proposals which could transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been unveiled.
Oldham Road is one the key routes into the city centre, and sees upwards of 26,000 journeys a day via a combination of car, bike, and public transport, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), but these new plans are set to improve journey times, safer crossings, protected cycleways, better connections, and boost sustainability.
“We know that things can be better,” TfGM said in a statement unveiling the proposals this week, adding that change is needed.
In the last five years alone, there have been 36 collisions on Oldham Road between Great Ancoats Street and Queens Road, with seven serious injuries caused as a result, which is why Council believes, with a number of targeted improvements, the road can be made better for everyone.
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been revealed / Credit: TfGM
When asked during the last consultation, hundreds of locals said what they wanted buses to come more often and be more reliable, safer places to cross the road, wider pavements for walking, and better-protected cycle lanes.
As part of the unveiled plans – which are currently out for consultation too – TfGM and the Council is proposing adding more bus lanes so buses don’t get stuck in traffic, as well making bus stops nicer with better places to wait, and building more cycle lanes that are separate from cars.
Proposals also include changing traffic lights to help people cross the road, and fixing busy junctions so they’re easier and safer to cross.
Proposals are aiming to make the road safer, better-connected, and more sustainable / Credit: TfGM
“Improving everyday journeys is a priority, and the proposals for Oldham Road are central to this,” commented Alison Chew, who is TfGM’s Interim Director of Bus.
“Through the Bee Network, we’re creating a joined-up, safer and more affordable transport system for Greater Manchester, reducing congestion for everyone and connecting people with places and opportunities.
“These plans aim to make bus stops safer and easier to use, improve the speed and reliability of bus services, and provide better walking and cycling routes with upgraded crossings and footpaths.
“As Manchester city centre continues to grow, improving the way people can move easily around the city is a major driver for change. We know that things can be better.”
You can have your say on the proposals on the Council website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
Travel & Tourism
Gary Neville’s five-star hotel is expanding, with 95 new suites
Daisy Jackson
Gary Neville‘s luxury Stock Exchange Hotel is expanding in a big way, announcing today the Stock Exchange Suites.
The expansion will see 95 new suites added to the five-star hotel, taking over the building just opposite the existing hotel.
As well as the new suites, the Stock Exchange Suites will add a new food and drink offering to the city centre, plus a boutique gym and spa.
Expected to open in early 2027, it will dramatically boost the capacity of the hotel, which currently has just 40 individually designed rooms and suites.
The Stock Exchange Hotel has become the go-to accommodation for the rich and famous visiting Manchester, with Hugh Grant, Madonna, Noel Gallagher, Ed Sheeran, and Rosalia all choosing to stay here for their respective events in recent years.
The 95 room addition aims to be a ‘seamless extension of the hotel’s outstanding guest experience’ and will triple its current capacity.
Gary Neville’s five-star hotel is expanding, into Stock Exchange Suites
Stock Exchange Suites – just like the main hotel – will be designed by interior design studio Autoban, with modern luxury touches from materials to furniture.
The luxury suites will span from the first to the fourth floor of the building, with a mix of the brand’s Arthur Hope Suites, Bradshaw Suites and Norfolk Suites.
There’ll also be flexible cluster rooms to accommodate larger groups, with the option to configure different bedroom arrangements and private lounges.
Every room will include super king-sized beds and stunning en suite bathrooms.
On the ground level, there’ll be an expanded Traders Lounge, a 1000 sq ft relaxed lobby space, cafe and bar, to grab everything from morning coffee to evening cocktails.
Plans also include a boutique gym and spa, with steam and sauna rooms plus treatment rooms.
There’ll be 48 car parking spaces and new meeting rooms included in the expansion.
Winston Zahra, Co-Owner of the Stock Exchange and founder of Troo Hospitality said: “We’re delighted to share more details of what’s to come at Stock Exchange Suites at such an exciting time for the city.
“An exceptional start to the year has only strengthened our belief in the opportunity to grow. Stock Exchange Suites is a natural next step — allowing us to enhance our offer and to meet demand for hosting groups and guests from across the globe.
“This expansion reflects both our confidence in the market and our continued commitment to investing in Manchester’s world-class hospitality offering.”
Sophie Smith -
29th March 2023 
