Harvey Nichols is known globally as a shopping destination, and given that the Leeds store was the first outside of London to open back in the 90s, it's always held an esteem for fashion, fragrance and food across the city and beyond.
With Christmas around the corner, the thought of combining all three is far too appealing.
Whether you're window shopping, searching for the perfect Christmas party look or looking to splash out on a keepsake, shopping is hungry work - and the Fourth Floor Brasserie has all the decadence of downstairs, with three courses of festive treats on offer.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Starting with a blue cheese mousse, celeriac, pear, walnut pangrattato, chilli dressing, this beautifully-presented dish is packed with flavour, with the tangy blues complimented perfectly by the fruits.
Additional starters include a butternut squash velouté, cured mackerel on toast, pecorino with chipotle oil that gives 'winter warmer' a new meaning: the thick and creamy veloute is yet light with a bite, ideal for those cold snowy days in the city.
Now it wouldn't be Christmas without a turkey dinner, and in true Harvey Nichols fashion, this festive offering is as good as it looks. Roasted turkey breast with a mini braised turkey leg pie and flaky top, served with bubble and squeak hash, cranberry purée, red wine jus and cavolo nero kale.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For those looking to skip on the meat this Christmas, the Tagliolini pasta, with spiced tomato sauce, wild mushroom, spinach, ricotta, macadamia pangrattato and garlic oil is the ideal order for that cosy warm winter feeling you find from flavourful dishes this time of the year.
Alternatively there's pan-fried hake with leek, saffron potatoes, fennel, bouillabaisse sauce, or every Sunday, Fourth Floor Brasserie has a roast dinner option with roasted sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables and red wine jus.
The hints of the festive season are just as prevalent in the puddings, and certainly don't skip any corners when it comes to pairing sweet and savoury with traditional Christmas spices.
There's three options available: a classic Harvey Nichols Christmas pudding, served with vanilla anglaise and rum ice cream; mulled wine poached pear with brown sugar mousse, ginger cake, hazelnuts and apple ice cream or the orange posset, chocolate brownie chunks, passion fruit cream - each a palette cleanser that'll you'd better leave room for.
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Sophie Smith -
22nd November 2023 
