An exciting new managed workspace concept that promises to redefine the way we view work has opened it's doors on Leeds Dock.
Department is situated in the former waterside casino building on Leeds Dock.
The plot has undergone an incredible transformation into a community for modern businesses that are after more flexibility, amenity and experiences from their working environment.
The workspace is now open to Leeds’ most exciting creative, media, tech and digital businesses who are looking to redefine the way they work.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The four-floor complex offers businesses of up to 200 people a fulfilling working environment where companies can thrive both in and out of work.
Department boasts a wide range of brilliant features including hot desks, resident desks, private studios, premium suites, as well as bespoke meeting rooms, breakout areas, content studios, a podcasting suite and space to host events for business and leisure.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
And it's not all just about work, on the ground floor you will find Department Store - an experiential social space with a bar, kitchen and lifestyle pop-ups which is open to both members and the public.
Members will also have access to state-of-the-art fitness centre, Condition, who will be offering personal training sessions, modern studios and multi-disciplined classes to suit every individual.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Members will have the opportunity to gain so much more out of their working day by not only socialising with other creatives in the community but also by practicing their physical and mental wellbeing.
Anthony Powell, managing director at Department, commented: “The way we work has changed considerably over recent years and that means our workspaces should too. Life is too short to be unfulfilled by what we spend the majority of our waking hours doing. So, we have created a destination for people to feel enjoyment from their place of work and where businesses can thrive.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“We bring human nature to business and with that an understanding of how modern businesses and their teams work. Leeds is home to many exciting businesses in the creative, media and tech industries, and we want to welcome them to Department Leeds Dock... Our hospitality-led approach is at the heart of our workspace experience, with exceptional service, dedicated Community teams and member events to connect and inspire.”
If you would like to find out more about Department then pop along to their launch event on Thursday 16 February for complimentary hot desking, creative workshops and the opportunity to meet the team and tour around the available workspaces. Reserve your spot here.
New regulations are set to be put into place as part of the Briggate Action Plan.
Proposals for the plan, aimed at making some of the city centre’s busiest areas safer for everyone, received a huge amount of support during a public consultation last year.
Since then, the council have been drawing up the necessary regulations and signage, with the new rules now due to officially come into place over the next few months.
Once implemented, the action plan will mean a requirement to walk bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area from 10.30am until 8pm every day.
That means no surprise bicycles will try and run you over as you're doing your shopping, hooray!
The action plan will also introduce prohibitions around certain street trading activities in targeted areas, including mobile street traders.
Extended restrictions will be put into place during major city centre events including Leeds Pride, Light Night Leeds and the Leeds Christmas Market.
Anyone breaking the new rules could be given a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council, said: “The city centre welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and our aim is for every one of them to have the best and safest possible experience of Leeds.
“Through this action plan, we’ve taken important and meaningful steps to address issues which the public have consistently told us were impacting their enjoyment of the city centre whilst also creating potential safety issues for shoppers and pedestrians.
“With these new regulations in place, our hope is that both day-to-day visits and major events will now be even more enjoyable, successful and welcoming.”
The new restrictions on pedlars are expected to be in place from Thursday 1 October, with restrictions on bikes in pedestrianised areas due to be in place by the end of the year.
Everything you need to know about the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales
Emily Sergeant
Licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to be able introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone - helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you're buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you've left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that 'it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]' and that physical ID will 'still remain a valid way' for customers to prove their age.
"This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out," she concluded.
Clementine Hall -
13th February 2023 
