"Today has been one in a million [...] We really, really appreciate your generosity".
Leeds-based charity Getaway Girls has been working with DIY SOS and Children In Need on a huge project, that's now been unveiled to the public.
Having build an entirely new building for the charity, the new space will be used to continue making a positive difference to young girls' lives in the local area.
"Wow, where do we even begin? Today has been one in a million."
"We're so grateful for the incredible support shown to us, and can't wait to settle into our new home. The building is beyond what we could have ever imagined, so a huge thank you to everyone that came together to make it happen, whether you donated time, skills, materials or all three, we really, really appreciate your generosity. This building is going to change lives."
"A huge thank you to the amazing @bbccin@bbcradio2 and DIYSOS teams, today was honestly spectacular and its something that we, and our girls, will never forget."
BBC Children in Need has dedicated £126,566.00 to Getaway Girls, noting that the money will “improve their self-esteem, awareness of CSE, and aspirations” through the charity’s actions.
Getaway Girls is a Leeds-based charity that inspires and empowers girls and young women from the ages of 11 to 25 and beyond. The idea is that anyone can learn new skills and build their confidence, resilience and aspirations alike by meeting like-minded individuals and
Throughout the 30 years that the charity has been operating, Getaway Girls has supported over 13,500 young women.
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Sophie Smith -
27th September 2022 
