Free Lunches Just Got Better: The LeedsBID Summer Roadshow Returns

Forget the sad desk sandwich. For three weeks this summer, lunchtimes in Leeds city centre are about to get a serious glow-up. The LeedsBID Summer Roadshow is back for its fifth consecutive year, and it’s the biggest one yet, with six locations, three themed strands, and a whole load of free fun spilling out across the city.

The premise is gloriously simple: get out of the office, into the sunshine (we’re hoping), and enjoy your break. New for this year, two locations run side by side every day, so wherever you’re based, there should be something happening right on your doorstep. Everything is completely free, and yes, that includes the returning crowd favourites: free Nespresso iced coffees and Northern Bloc ice creams.

This year the activities are grouped into three themes that rotate through each site:

Move — pop-up squash courts, a climbing wall, the return of crazy golf, and neck and shoulder massages.
Make — windchime painting, fan painting, a colouring mural by artist Cait McEniff, and hands-on linocut printing workshops. No experience needed, just bring some curiosity.
Music — live music to soundtrack your lunch hour, with picnic blankets, plus food and drink samples (look out for Dishoom, My Delhi and Brasserie Blanc serving up tasters).

All events run 12–2pm, and the activities vary by day and location, so here’s exactly what’s on, where, and when.

Week 1 — 23rd–25th June

Wellington Place

• Tues 23rd (Move): Crazy golf, pop-up squash court

• Wed 24th (Music): Live music, neck and shoulder massage, picnic, Dishoom tasters

• Thurs 25th (Make): Windchime painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, My Delhi tasters

Park Square

• Tues 23rd (Make): Fan painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, neck and shoulder massage, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, My Delhi tasters

• Wed 24th (Move): Crazy golf, pop-up squash court

• Thurs 25th (Music): Live music, picnic, Dishoom tasters

Week 2 — 30th June–2nd July

Central Square

• Tues 30th (Move): Crazy golf, pop-up squash court, climbing wall (tbc)

• Wed 1st (Music): Live music, neck and shoulder massage, Dishoom tasters

• Thurs 2nd (Make): Windchime painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, My Delhi tasters

Bruntwood West Village

• Tues 30th (Make): Fan painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, neck and shoulder massage, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, My Delhi tasters

• Wed 1st (Move): Crazy golf

• Thurs 2nd (Music): Live music, picnic (blankets, food and drink samples), Dishoom tasters

Week 3 — 7th–9th July

Sovereign Square

• Tues 7th (Move): Crazy golf, pop-up squash court
• Wed 8th (Music): Live music, neck and shoulder massage, picnic (blankets, food and drink samples), My Delhi tasters
• Thurs 9th (Make): Windchime painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, Brasserie Blanc tasters

Aire Park

• Tues 7th (Make): Windchime painting workshop, linocut printing workshop, neck and shoulder massage, colouring mural by Cait McEniff, My Delhi tasters
• Wed 8th (Music): Live music, picnic (blankets, food and drink samples), Brasserie Blanc tasters
• Thurs 9th (Move): Crazy golf, squash, climbing wall (tbc)

See You There

Five years in, the Summer Roadshow has earned its loyal following, and it’s easy to see why: the best break from your desk really is the one right outside your door. Keep an eye on @LeedsBID across social for any day-by-day updates and surprises.

So grab a colleague, clear your lunch hour, and we’ll see you out there.