After hosting their first Curated Makers Market on the 19 - 20 March, Curated Makers is back and showcasing eleven independent local businesses and their handmade products to the shoppers of Trinity Leeds this weekend.
The new market will be the double the size of their debut as it becomes a monthly market operating entirely within Trinity Leeds: meaning there will be over 120 national and international brands under one roof this weekend.
Bridging the gap between independent artists and customers, Curated Markers Market is all about locally made gifts with real people and stories behind them.
The buzzing shopping centre welcomed an array of northern businesses over the weekend, including the likes of candle makers Olive & B, dried flower florist Pampas & Bloom and Leeds based bean to bar chocolate makers, Frankly Delicious- many of which featured in their pop-up store in Trinity over Christmas.
The makers were overwhelmed by the positive responses from passing customers and enthralled in sharing the stories and craft behind their products.
David Maddison, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “We’re proud to support incredible independent businesses and give them a platform alongside 120+ top high street brands, offering a unique shopping experience and giving guests more reasons to visit Trinity Leeds.
"The Curated Makers market is proving popular and we’re excited to welcome them back for their upcoming events.”
Image: Curated Makers Market
The company is hoping to expand into Manchester in the coming months.
Megan Jones, Founder & Director of Curated Makers commented; “Adding another prime opportunity for local makers to trade is something we’re so proud to facilitate. Offering such creative talent to the shoppers of Trinity Leeds to shop from, is a win for everyone involved! We hope these market dates are popped into your diary to support our makers, not forgetting everyone is welcome to the relaunch of our exciting new shop location, to be announced soon.
"We now hope we can find a new home for our market and pop-up concept in Manchester, our home town!’’
The next Curated Makers Market will return on Friday 22nd April - Sunday 24th April. Followed by the 20 - 22 May and 24 - 26 June.
Leeds
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Sophie Smith -
19th April 2022 
