Leeds' historic Kirkgate markets have launched into the future with a new sustainable delivery service.
You just know that if you're in Leeds and you need something- whether it's a hair grip or a lobster, you'll find it in the Kirkgate Market. But now, thanks to a new online delivery service, you don't even need to pop in to pick up your essentials.
Kirkgate Market has partnered with the online shopping platform Good Sixty, so that LS1-9, 13,16,17, and 28 postcodes can now shop online and have their market goodies delivered right to their doorstep.
Essentially, it's the same as ordering from any other website: you place an order with Good Sixty, then the market traders organise their individual packages before passing them on for delivery.
Buyers will receive local next-day delivery every Wednesday - Friday and, best of all, all orders only pay a single delivery fee despite shopping with multiple traders.
For many, this is a chance to bring their stalls to a wider market - and reach more customers ahead of the crucial Christmas shopping period.
Panda Refills, a store participating in the Good Sixty delivery service told The Hoot that it was an "exciting opportunity" for the small business that still allows the store to stick to its sustainable values.
As a zero-waste store, Panda Refills will be using leftover packaging to parcel up their orders.
Other foodie favourites at Kirkgate are also getting involved.
Neil’s Greengrocers, Malcolm Michaels Butchers, Whitaker’s Farmhouse Eggs & Cheese, Ramsden’s Fishmongers, Firth & Payne and Bluebird Bakery as well as Brown’s Sweets and Adam & Eco are all available on the Good Sixty shopping platform.
The markets have been a favourite retail past time for Leeds since the 1800s. / Image: Chemical Engineer
Councillor Kayleigh Brooks, Leeds City Council deputy executive member with responsibility for markets, said:
“We are excited to be partnering with Good Sixty to offer a delivery service for customers direct from our fantastic traders here at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
During the pandemic, shopping habits have changed with a huge increase in online shopping. Teaming up with Good Sixty brings Leeds Kirkgate Market traders’ top quality food straight to customers’ doorsteps, and supports our traders in having access to a wider customer base.
We look forward to the start of something great which will make it easier than ever before to shop local and support independent Leeds businesses.”
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 -
16th November 2021 
