The city of Leeds is preparing to uncover its best-kept secrets this summer as Jet Radio Leeds presents the Hidden Talent & Trade Expo 2026 on Saturday, 15 August 2026. Taking place at 20 Shannon Street, Leeds LS9 8SS, from 3:00 PM until 8:30 PM, the event carries the theme "Discovering Tomorrow" and promises to bring together an extraordinary mix of undiscovered talent, African-owned businesses, public institutions, and community organisations under one roof.
The primary aim of the expo is to seek out and showcase hidden talent from across Leeds and the wider United Kingdom. Organisers believe that countless individuals with remarkable abilities in music, performance, art, and innovation have never received the recognition they deserve simply because they have lacked access to the right platforms. This event intends to change that by giving those individuals a stage and an audience that includes major media outlets, business leaders, and community decision-makers. At the same time, the expo is designed to bring forward African hidden businesses that have been operating quietly and successfully but have remained largely invisible to the mainstream. These businesses will have the opportunity to exhibit, network, and connect directly with the public in a way that has not been available to them before.
Beyond talent and trade, the event has been structured as a bridge between the public and the many organisations that serve them. Groups, churches, and faith-based organisations from across Leeds have been invited, alongside schools, educational institutions, Leeds City Council, and various public services. Youth and homelessness organisations, drug and alcohol support services, NGOs, and the voluntary sector will also be present. African businesses and companies, as well as Ghanaian-affiliated groups, are specifically included to ensure that the diversity of Leeds is fully represented. What makes this gathering particularly unique is that every invited institution and company will be given the chance to speak directly to the public about their services, their mission, and the relevant information that communities genuinely need to know. Whether the topic is health support, education, social care, housing, or business guidance, the expo provides a live, face to face platform for conversation that cannot be replicated online.
To ensure that the voices and stories from the event reach far beyond the venue, all the major media outlets have been invited, and their cameras will be present throughout the afternoon and evening. Confirmed media partners include BBC Radio Leeds, Chapel FM Radio, and Leeds Live, which publishes the Yorkshire Evening Post. Their presence means that performers, exhibitors, and speakers will have the chance to share their journeys with thousands of listeners and readers across the region. For a hidden talent or a small business owner who has never received media attention, this level of exposure could prove to be a genuine turning point.
The expo will run for five and a half hours, offering live performances from undiscovered talent, business exhibitions from African and local enterprises, informational talks from public and voluntary sector organisations, and extensive networking opportunities between communities, institutions, and companies. Media interviews and coverage will take place continuously throughout the event. Organisers emphasise that whether someone is an organisation wanting to reach the public, a business looking for visibility, or an individual with a talent waiting to be seen, this event is designed with them in mind.
More details and regular updates are available on the official Jet Radio Leeds website at https://jetradioukonline.com. For direct inquiries, the team can be contacted via email at contact@jetradioukonline.com or by telephone on 07448951046. Doors open at 3:00 PM on Saturday, 15 August 2026, and admission or participation details can be obtained through the contact channels provided. Leeds has always been a city of hidden depth, and beneath the surface there are voices that have not been heard, businesses that have not been seen, and talents that have not been celebrated. The Jet Radio Leeds Hidden Talent and Trade Expo 2026 exists to change that, not only for one evening but as a lasting launchpad for tomorrow.