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Under the microscope: who deserves to win NTU's Images of Research 2026?

Each year, the talented researchers at Nottingham Trent University are asked to capture their work in a single striking image for the Images of Research competition. Here's a look at the top finalists and how you can vote for whose work you think should win...

Sam Heaton talks turning Notts County's The Nest into a versatile live events venue

In 2024 Notts County FC turned an old metal fabricators warehouse next to their stadium into a state-of-the-art live events venue. Thus The Nest was born and has since led a double life as a football fanzone and as a major player in Nottingham’s live music and events scene. We spoke to their events manager Sam Heaton about those last two years and their big plans for the future…

How Foragers' Kitchen is bringing organic and local plant based produce to Sneinton Market

Just around the corner from LeftLion, Foragers’ Kitchen is one of the newest and most exciting additions to Nottingham arts and independents hub Sneinton Market Avenues. Opened in October 2025, it’s run by Notts-via-North-Wales chef Darcy Jerome Duncalf and his partner via Paris, Marianna Coulentianos (with help from a friendly greyhound named Dexter), and blends a plant-based menu with resolutely local and organic produce. We popped over to chat to Darcy about what brought him to our cosy end of Notts. 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #18: Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA on winning a MOBO, playing Jools Holland, touring with Pendulum and homecoming gigs

This episode we are joined by Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA, who talk about their whirlwind year of winning a MOBO, appearing on Jools Holland and touring Europe with Pendulum…

Comedy, music festivals and local talent: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 18 -24 May

 This week in Notts! Enjoy local theatre performances and live comedy, or head to Dot to Dot music festival and dance the night away in various venues across Nottingham. Here's our top picks...

How Sneinton's Stonebridge City Farm connects the local community

Stonebridge City Farm is Nottingham’s only urban farm, located just around the corner from Sneinton Market. Home to piglets, goats, sheep, cows, turtles, and more, it’s also a rich community hub which welcomes 160 volunteers a week and hosts an impressive array of events. There’s also been recent news about an uncertain financial future for the farm – recently established CEO Rick Harrington tells us more, and reflects on what makes this space special.

Thought-provoking theatre, alternative rock music and local art: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 11 - 17 May

This week in Notts! Enjoy original theatre and gritty alternative rock, or head south of river and meet Ladybay's artists in their studios. Here's our top picks...

Competition: Win A Family Pass for Gloworm Festival 2026

We’ve teamed up with Gloworm Festival to give two lucky familes a truly magical adventure at Gloworm Festival, taking place at Thoresby Park this summer...

Boo the bad guy: the wacky cinematic world of local promoter Will Bailey

Will Bailey is a Nottingham film and events promoter, producing just about anything you could imagine (and a few things which only he could imagine), from Stars In Their Eyes all-dayers to so-bad-it’s-good movies screened at the Notts Bad Movie Club. His latest venture – Boo the Bad Guy – is a new multi-activity celebration of cult cinema, taking place in multiple venues which, more often than not, aren’t cinemas. He tells us more about it, while also reminiscing on past moments of movie magic he’s brought to Notts… 

Bulwell Academy Student Wins University of Cambridge Prize

Diego A. Fernandes, a Year 10 student at The Bulwell Academy, Nottingham, has been announced as the winner of the University of Cambridge/First Story creative writing competition...

Classical Music Review: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Domingo Hindoyan at the Royal Concert Hall

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is yet another orchestra proving you do not need to go down south to see world-class concert music. And now they're back with a new conductor. Can they still cut the musical mustard... 

Competition: Win Nottingham Wing Fest 2026 Tickets

The world’s biggest chicken wing festival lands in Nottingham for the first time ever at the new Out Nottingham venue. We have two pairs of tickets to give away to our clucky readers...

How local class Deep Yoga is making mindfulness accessible

After finding Deep Yoga both deeply relaxing, and deeply difficult to master – especially when attempting to fashion a somewhat nonchalant expression during an unbalanced Half Moon Pose – Bridie Squires spoke to Dr Steven Athwal, Director of Deep Yoga in Nottingham, about his journey into yoga and why local studios matter more than ever… 

Local artist Laura Dickinson talks her forthcoming debut album as Lace Thief

Laura Dickinson's Lace Thief project epitomises the creative spirit of Nottingham: unafraid of challenge, independent, and deeply committed to her art. In advance of her debut record’s release, Laura talks to us about family, curiosity, and the city that has helped her express herself. 

Theatre Review: Horrible Histories Live (& Dead): The Concert at the Royal Concert Hall

It may be horrible but still it is a much-beloved children's TV series that educates as much as entertains. And this weekend the horribleness came to Nottingham...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #41: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Willow Bay, Drivelheads, LOCAL LOSER and Firmament...

An interview with Crystal Mah-Wing about the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Map

Nottingham was awarded UNESCO status as a City of Literature in December 2015. As part of their celebrations to mark this decade milestone, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, the University of Nottingham and Visit Nottingham worked together on an AHRC funded research bid to bring the map to Nottingham.

As part of the project, Research Affiliate Crystal Mah-Wing was employed to help create a map, showcasing our cities best literary locations, for locals and tourists alike. We spoke to Crystal about the process, the team she worked with and what to expect when it’s out at the end of March…

Gina Birch on truth, insight and how to live a life devoid of convention

An emblem of passion, a staple of creativity... Gina Birch has been key to establishing and presenting the female voice within the punk music movement. Nottingham born Gina is well-known as a founding member of The Raincoats but her contribution goes much, much wider. Ria Serena found out more for LeftLion... 

Universities for Nottingham’s Collaboratory Research Hub programme is seeking committed Nottingham citizens for paid event shaping local research

The groundbreaking Collaboratory Research Hub programme is looking for local workers, people who are active in the community, and those with lived experience of facing complex challenges to take part in upcoming paid events that will help set the research agenda...

10 Gems: Best Hidden Restaurants in London that Locals Swear by

Discover the best hidden restaurants in London that locals swear by - ten under-the-radar spots serving bold flavours, from Israeli kitchens to cult pasta bars.

Stirring things up: meeting the voices behind local chronic illness and business podcast 3Spoonies

Running a successful podcast is quite the task in itself, but what happens when you pair it with chronic illness, fluctuating energy levels, and times when you feel like your body is fighting against you? Emily Davies sat down to talk to the minds behind 3Spoonies, a Nottinghamshire-based podcast hosted by Karen Duncan, Claire Napper, and Jo O’Neil, about everything from balancing their work and home lives to how we can make entrepreneurship more inclusive.

Class of 2026: six local music acts set to take Notts by storm in 2026

2025 in Notts music was mostly defined by awards. Rave-metal sister duo ALT BLK ERA won a MOBO award, rapper Jayahadadream won two Youth Music Awards including the Rising Star prize – and beloved venue The Bodega was crowned Grassroots Champion at the LIVE Awards.

Locally, we also saw the return of Splendour Festival with the Future Sound of Nottingham winners Saffron Gray and Archie & The Astronauts opening the festival main stage. This got us thinking – who are the next breakout stars from Nottingham and who can we expect to shine in the year ahead? After much deliberation, here’s six artists we expect to have a big 2026…

Live music, light shows, and classic cinema: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 2 - 8 February

From legendary artists and independent musicians, to cinema and light installations, this week brings a wide assortment of events to the Notts creative scene. Here are our picks of this week...

Mending our ways: how two Notts locals founded a national repairs directory

Ally Booker and Gemma Broad are two repairs professionals in Nottingham, who in June 2025 founded We Are Repairs: an online directory of UK businesses which give products of all kinds a longer lifespan. Their aim was to shift the public mindset away from a careless ‘throwaway culture’ – they tell us about how the project’s gone since. 

Rage against the running machine: local class Rockfit's alternative take on fitness

Looking to shake off the ‘toxicity’ of the festive season, let your ‘bodies’ hit the floor, and get ‘one step closer’ to your fitness goals? Well, if you have a penchant for alternative music, get yourself down to RockFit, Nottingham’s alternative fitness class where friendly metal fans rock out to work out. We spoke to Nottingham instructors Jack ‘Kastor’ Wilkinson and Sam ‘Blu’ Rynne to discover what it’s all about…