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North Brewing Co. left ‘devastated’ and £25,000 short after ticketing platform is under moratorium weeks before festival
At a time when our industry is under enormous pressure due to the cost increases on Co2, utilities, distribution and raw materials this was terrible news for us to receive today."
This has had an overwhelming impact on the upcoming Springwell Sessions, but North Brew is determined to still deliver the event as planned.
With only two and a half weeks to go before North Brewing Co.'s flagship beer festival, The Springwell Sessions, the brewery has discovered that the ticket provider for the event, Event Genius of Festicket is under moratorium.
As a result, the ticket platform has had their bank accounts has been frozen, and left the Leeds' brewery over £25,000 short as no funds can be taken out of the accounts towards their future events, nor can ticket holders receive refund.
In just twelve hours, the company has managed to raise of £8,000, but is hoping to raise the full £25,000 before the festival at the end of the month.
In order to provide the much-anticipated festival, organisers have decided to set up a GoFundMe to cover costs, as well as ensuring that the company is still able to donate 10% of ticket sales to St George's Crypt, who were due to receive £2,000 from the ticket sales that can no longer be withdrawn.
North Brewing Co has been feeding Leeds since 2015 with some of the most exciting tipple in the city. / Image: North Brewing Co
The event itself is still set to be one of the most exciting ways to finish off summer in Leeds. From Friday 23 September to Sunday 25 September 2022, Springwell Sessions is bringing together 17 breweries from across the UK across three days of events, with independent wine shop, Bottle Chop, hosting a natural wine bar; No. 3 Gin shaking the cocktails, and street food will be provided by Little Bao Boy, Kerbside Kids, MorMor and Homeboy Pizza.
All set within a huge 21,000 square foot brewery in North Leeds, the site at Springwell produces 2.8 million pints of beer a year and is home to their flagship taproom, so Springwell Sessions will showcase exactly what you're tasting from the keg, as well as bringing together a list of independents and local breweries big and small to the event.
John Gyngell company founder said “At a time when our industry is under enormous pressure due to the cost increases on Co2, utilities, distribution and raw materials this was terrible news for us to receive today.
"Further to this we are disappointed to learn today that Festicket, who own Event Genius, continued to take payments from customers over the last 2 weeks despite filing for moratorium on 24th August.”
“To lose the ticket sales as a result of Event Genius collapsing has lost us in excess of £25,000. Regardless of this we are committed to running this festival. To help with this we have setup a GoFundMe page and we are reaching out to our friends, family and fellow brewers to support us given the lost revenue from the tickets.
"Already the conversations we have had with the brewers attending have been incredibly moving, and incredibly supportive. It is great to see everyone come together to help make this event a success.”
Springwell has been open since April 2021. / Image: Springwell
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“We built the brewery and taproom at Springwell during lockdowns, finally opening our doors to the public in April 2021. The Springwell Sessions is our first beer festival at the venue and an amazing opportunity to showcase the brewery, work with our friends in the industry and put on an incredible event for the city of Leeds.”
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food
Clementine Hall
What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.
The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.
Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.
We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.
I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.
From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.
By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.
Sophie Smith -
8th September 2022 
