If Terry's Chocolate Orange in a cookie dough or a turkey hanging kebab wasn't enough, The Botanist have now opened their winter Madri lodges for Christmas.
The festive season came early at The Botanist and nobody complained. But their late announcement to open up winter Madri lodges was the festive surprise everyone is excited to try.
There's nothing worse than arriving at a bar and not being able to hear a word your friends are trying to say. With every office in town now having their Christmas party and families getting together ahead of December 25th, it's more difficult than ever to find some privacy.
The winter Madri lodges will keep you away from the snow on Boar Lane. / Image: The Botanist
Except at the winter lodges. Designed for just four to six people to sit in, there are no strangers invited: giving you more time to have those conversations that matter.
Choose from one of four booths for you and your nearest and dearest and enjoy a private drinking and dining experience like no other.
Perfect for private dinners or just getting away from the hustle and bustle of the most wonderful, but busiest time of the year, the winter lodges can be booked in advance.
In order to make the most of these new seats, book online or call the Boar Lane restaurant and upon arrival, tuck into the new autumn winter menu: it's full of winter warmers but, of course, their Terry's-inspired dish wins all the prizes for best festive dish.
A Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough filled with chocolate pieces, topped with vanilla ice cream and a signature segment of Terry's Chocolate Orange.
The Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough is just one of the stars of this menu. / Image: Jack Kirwin This festive hanging kebab has all the trimmings, leaving the brussel sprouts optional. / Image: Jack Kirwin
That's not all though, the transformed menu is full of delicious Christmas treats that need to be devoured before tucking into this delicious dessert.
The turkey with all the trimmings kebab is also set to be a firm favourite in Leeds and beyond.
The hanging kebab features turkey, stuffing and pigs in blanket skewer with a selection of roast potatoes. it really doesn't get more festive than that.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
2nd December 2021 
