On the day Spotify releases users most listened to tracks of the year, we thought we'd look back at what news articles Leek loved the most in the past year.

Here are the ten most read stories Leek's free online newspaper produced for you in the past year.

Thank you so much for your support.

No 5 A former Crewe Indian restaurant makes comeback in Leek

A feelgood story from September of a small family business making a comeback.

The Spiceology Indian restaurant was based on Nantwich Road in Crewe, serving local people award winning South Asian cuisine - but it unfortunately closed down during the Covid pandemic. However, the restaurant has now rebranded as Spice Merchant, and is reopening at new premises in Leek on Cross Mill Street.

Read our fifth most read story of the year here.

No 4 Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper spotted at Cheddleton pub

We don't often get many celebrities in our part of the world, but when we do you can sure that our residents (and your free online newspaper) will shout about it.

Jeremy Clarkson's famous farmhand Kaleb Cooper was spotted enjoying pints and talking selfies with punters at a pub in Cheddleton this summer.

The show returns to Amazon Prime next year. Perhaps Kaleb was in town for a Leek-based scene in the show? One can dream...

Read more about it by clicking here.

No 3 Leek drive-thru Tim Hortons plans: you have your say

Creating 30 jobs, Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons told their plans to open in Leek in the spring.

The news caused quite the stir - and while the grab-and-go coffee house is not open yet - making one of our most read articles of the year.

Read more about what you had to say on the plans here.

No. 2 This unbelievable Leek mansion has an indoor pool - it's on the market for £850,000

Reported on a whole two months before our competitors, this Leek mansion story also became our most read of the year (so far).

It looks like all of you want to live in a mansion, as this story hit the four figures and then some becoming an instant success. 

The property boasts an indoor pool, six bedrooms and a Victorian exterior. All for just £850,000. 

We may be mistaken, but we can't find the property online now. So it may have sold! Read more about the February story here.

No 1 Full plans submitted for McDonald's drive-thru and restaurant in Leek

In August we revealed a hot rumour going around town was true. Maccies is coming to Leek.

The drive-thru is set to open next year should plans go ahead.

Hundreds of residents have opposed the move. And it was our most read story of the year.

While we produced multiple articles, the most read piece can be found here.

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