Slap and Pickles have got vegan pigs in blankets, fried Christmas pudding and paxo mayo on the menu this Christmas.
If there's one company we trust with our food it's Slap and Pickle.
The Leeds-based company have grown so much in 2021 that they will be leaving their residency at The Fleece Inn in Horsforth, but they still have a few tricks up their sleeve before they leave.
At their Horsforth and Leeds city centre addresses, Slap and Pickle will be serving one of the best Christmas menus around.
First up is the Vegan All I Want For Christmas Burger and its layer-upon-layer of Moving Mountains goodness.
We're talking vegan patty topped with vegan cranberry Wensleydale, This Isn't Bacon lardons, pickled red cabbage, paxo mayo, cranberry mostarda, shredded lettuce, pickles and onion gravy; all wrapped between two green and rather Instagrammable burger buns.
The Vegan All I Want For Christmas Burger. / Image: Slap and Pickles
The loaded fries are also vegan and packed with all the festive trimmings.
There's a super scoop of fries in every dish, topped with vegan cranberry Wensleydale and Pigs in Blankets rain, made from This Isn't Bacon and This Isn't Cocktail Sausages. The fries are then topped with vegan paxo mayo, cranberry mostarda, root veg crisps and fresh parsley.
25p from every Christmas menu item sold goes towards the Kids In Blankets campaign, helping to buy beds for vulnerable children, so when you buy fries for yourself, you're helping someone in need too.
Finally, the All I Want For Christmas Burger is the meaty dream every beef-eater has been waiting for.
We're talking about two Swaledale Butchers smash patties, cranberry Wensleydale, smoked bacon, beef fat-fried Christmas pudding, picked red cabbage, shredded lettuce, pickles, Paxo mayo & cranberry mostarda, all wrapped up in a festive red bun.
If there's room for dessert, the menu also comes with a sweet treat difficult to turn down. Having already featured a Christmas pudding on the Vegan All I Want For Christmas Burger, Slap and Pickle have replaced the traditional festive dessert with the ever-popular Biscoff cheesecake.
"Tis the season to eat Christmas food ‘til it comes out of your ears (and/or gives you a Santa-like appearance), and we’re so down with that."
We couldn't agree more.
Get your Slap and Pickle Christmas fix at Beer Hawk or Assembly Underground in Leeds city centre, The Fleece Inn in Horsforth or any of their other local residencies.
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 -
10th December 2021 
