If you've ever looked at your bill and sighed after racking up more pounds than expected: we've got the perfect job for you.
There's an exciting position opening up at Open Gift Cards: a local gift card company that supports indie shops, bars and restaurants around Leeds, and it involves you spending their gift cards.
Three lucky people in January 202 will trade in their day jobs to become a ‘gift card spender’, and go shopping and dine in some of the best local independent coffee shops, cafes and bars in the city.
The idea is that the spenders will report back on their shopping experience and in return, have the opportunity to spend £100 at over 80 different cafes, restaurants and retail stores around the city.
You’ll even get free transport in and out of the city as every gift card comes with a First Bus Day mTicket.
Sounds like a dream job if you ask us.
You can spend your voucher at Saint Jude in Farsley and order anything on the menu. / Image: Open Gift Card
The company announced their search for staff on Instagram, stating:
“Applications now open for the best job in Leeds (probably). Are you passionate about supporting independent businesses? Do you like the sound of spending a £100 gift card in any of our 80+ partner indies….on us?
“If the answer to the last two questions is yes and yes, we want to hear from you. Open is looking for three gift card testers to take an afternoon or a day out in January, to visit a variety of independent businesses and spend some free £££ – think hair salons, delis, bars, retail stores.”
All you need to do is follow Open on Instagram, and enter as if it's a giveaway with the usual like, comment and share- but just make sure to tell your friends to like your comment as the person with the most liked comment will be the lucky shopper chosen for the experience.
If you need any more reasons to apply to shop for free in Leeds, here are just some of the places you'll be able to wine and dine whilst spending someone else's money:
George's
Saint Jude, Farsley
The Tetley
Liquor Studio
Punk Vegan, Hyde Park
Bare Coffee, Headingley
North Star Coffee Roasters
Hyde Park Book Club
George & Joseph, Chapel Allerton
Chophus, Oakwood
Pizza Fella
Sebbys
Little Yellow Rice Co.
Mill Kitchen, Farsley
Sabroso Street, Farsley
Grumpy's Pizza, Farsley
Tasty Kitchen, Oakwood
Slow Rise Bakery, Horsforth
Pookies Deli, Horsforth
S! Bar & Eats, Knaresborough
Horsforth Brewery & Tap Room
Dapur Malaysia, Chapel Allerton
Residence 74
and that's only a few of the options available.
Residence 74 in Oakwood accept the vouchers. / Image: Open Gift Card
Alternatively, you can choose to use your card for a shopping trip at an endless supply of retail stores, yoga studios and zero-waste stores and clothes shops in the city centre and neighbouring suburbs, including:
Leeds Refill in Hyde Park, Waste Not in Burley, The Nature Narrator, Handmade by Nabara, Becky Moore Designs,The Dance Studio, Headingley Enterprise and Arts, Sarah Louise in Horsforth and Haus of XS in Chapel Allerton.
For more information on Open Gift Cards, visit their website or to enter their draw to become their gift card spender, visit the Open Gift Card Instagram page.
Feature Image- Open Gift Card
News
Inside Moida, the new Korean beauty and skincare store in Leeds city centre
If your skincare routine has been needing an upgrade, there's some good news waiting for you inside Trinity Leeds.
The shopping centre has just welcomed Moida, a brand-new beauty retailer specialising in authentic Korean skincare, bringing some of the world's most sought-after K-beauty products to Leeds.
Named after the Korean word meaning 'to gather' or 'come together', moida is all about making Korean skincare easy to discover and accessible for everyone.
Inside the new store that has taken over the old Claire's Accessories site, shoppers can expect an extensive range of handpicked products from some of the biggest names in K-beauty, including Beauty of Joseon, Dr. Althea, TIRTIR, Medicube, Biodance, and more cult-favourite brands.
The collection has been curated by a team of Korean beauty experts with close links to Korea, meaning customers can expect everything from viral TikTok sensations to exclusive products that are often difficult to get hold of elsewhere in the UK.
Moida K-Beauty has opened in Trinity Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: "With Korean skincare still increasing in popularity, moida brings an exciting new concept to the centre. Offering guests viral products alongside everyday essentials, plus the chance to browse new brands in-store will be a fantastic experience.
"We know moida is going to be a brilliant addition for both existing fans of K-beauty and those keen to discover it for the first time."
It's the latest announcement following the recent launches of Lane7, Footasylum, LEGO, Jerk Junction, The Fragrance Shop and schuh at Trinity Leeds.
Leeds man jailed for life after being found guilty of dozens of sexual and physical assault offences
Emily Sergeant
A man from Leeds has been jailed for life after being found guilty of dozens of sexual and physical assault offences.
Paul Benstock - aged 62, of Appletree Court in the village of East Ardsley - appeared at Leeds Crown Court last week where he was sentenced after being convicted of more than 40 offences committed against five victims,
Following a Leeds Safeguarding investigation, Benstock was found guilty of a number of sexual offences and physical assaults against both adult and child victims, including 14 counts of rape - with these offences having thought to have taken place over a 22-year period between 1998 and 2020.
Benstock was also identified as being involved in the making of indecent images of children following an operation by the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP), and was also found guilty of these offences.
"Much of Benstock’s offending was against victims who were children at the time," explained Detective Sergeant Michelle Barnes, of Leeds Safeguarding Unit.
"His victims have shown incredible bravery in giving us detailed accounts of what has taken place and then again supporting the trial process by giving evidence when Benstock refused to take accountability for his awful crimes."
Benstock was sentenced to 37 years imprisonment.
He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, West Yorkshire Police has confirmed.
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2021 
