A massive, inflatable igloo bar is coming to Leeds this Christmas, bringing a touch of wintry Eskimo culture to Yorkshire in time for the festive season's kick-off.
Selling festive drinks in Millenium Square next to the city's giant ice skating rink, the giant igloo bar will feature staff dressed in ice-inspired costumes serving a range of festive drinks.
Inside, it will be decorated in the style of a winter garden with greenery and festoons of little twinkling lights to give its drinkers that ultimate wintry festive feeling.
There'll also be live entertainment inside, music, and a broad menu of festive drinks offering something for everyone.
Image: Ice Cube Leeds
And that's not all - alongside the giant igloo, a string of German market huts will also be on hand selling bratwurst, gluhwein, Yorkshire pudding wraps, poutine, pizza and more.
There'll be a brand-new stall from Germany featuring a 35ft high Christmas tree on the roof, funfair rides and games, plus seating inside the igloo and also outside in the square - with covered bench tables dotted around offering shoppers a respite from the busy high street.
Elsewhere, there will be funfair rides like the 100 ft high Star Flyer, a giant festive helter-skelter a North Pole funhouse and - just a stone's throw from the square - a 110ft Leeds Wheel of Light and Golden Gallopers traditional carousel ride.
James Mallinder, the artist, founder and managing director of Igloo Disco said:
“After working with many blue-chip companies and providing inflatable structures all over the UK, I am so excited to be able to create something beautiful for my much-loved home city of Leeds.
“Our new bar installation is fully immersive, totally bespoke and I hope it gives everyone who visits a whole load of festive Joy, especially after last year’s lockdown Christmas.”
Roger Tuby of International Funfairs said: “After working in partnership with Leeds City Council for many years, we are really excited to be able to help bring back a bit of the traditional Christmas look and feel to Leeds.
“With a variety of alpine style cabins serving tasty hot food and drink, a brand-new stall from Germany featuring a 35ft high Christmas tree on the roof, and a selection of themed attractions, rides and games, there really is something for all the family to enjoy this Christmas in Leeds.”
Leeds
Leeds foodies rejoice as much loved restaurant brings back their ‘legendary Pie Nights’
The Swine Bistro is bringing back one of its most-loved and hotly anticipated events; its legendary Pie Nights.
Is there anything more comforting in winter than a proper hearty pie? No, we don't think so either.
And there's no better place to go for one than the beloved Swine Bistro.
Since reopening and relocating to Otley Road, the Swine Bistro has been named amongst the Good Food Guide and SquareMeal’s Top 100 Best Local Restaurants, and it's not hard to see why.
The Swine Bistro excels in bold British flavours, slow-cooked comfort and generous, joy-filled cooking - and this is exactly what Pie Nights showcase.
Image: SuppliedImage: The Hoot Leeds
This season’s Pie Night menu includes a mix of rich, meat-led classics and inventive vegetable-led pies, all made in-house and served with the Swine Bistro’s signature warmth and homely hosting.
The pie line-up includes Beef Cheek & Ox Tail, Chicken, Leek & Tarragon, Artichoke, Ricotta, Portobello & Walnut and Fennel, Hispi Cabbage, Butter Bean & Old Winchester.
Or if you're coming as a group and you can all agree on the filling (hard, we know), there is the show-stopping Suet-Topped Venison, Red Wine & Bone Marrow Pie, which is good enough for the table of Henry VIII.
Jo Myers, cofounder of the Swine Bistro, said; “Our love of making and serving the finest pies are a huge part of our story. They’re about taking the time to cook things properly, slow braises, good pastry, big, bold flavours for people to enjoy together. It’s comfort food, Swine-style.”
Pie Nights at The Swine Bistro will run on selected dates, initially kicking off on Wednesday 11 February, with further dates to be added, and are priced from £24 per person.
To find out more and to book your table, visit their website here.
Leeds City Council to discuss five-year plan to help support the future of Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
Senior councillors will next week be asked to approve a five-year strategy designed to guide Leeds Kirkgate Market successfully.
The council’s previous strategy for the historic market covered the period 2021 to 2026 and helped deliver impressive results, including increased footfall, a diverse and vibrant range of new businesses and a multi-million pound refurbishment of the site’s historic ‘blockshops' area.
Plans have now been revealed that aim to maintain the beloved site and keep it on its currant upwards trajectory between 2026 and 2031.
The plan sets out a vision for the market’s continued success as an inclusive, attractive and sustainable place where independent retailers can thrive.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Key points to achieve this include:
The construction – subject to planning approval – of STACK Leeds, a ‘container-style’ food, drink and entertainment attraction proposed for part of the market’s outdoor trading area;
The development, subject to final approval once full costings have been secured and assessed, of a hotel and council-run public gym on the George Street side of the market;
The continuation and enhancement of the market’s free events programme for children and families, which has become an important driver of footfall – particularly during school holidays – and underlines its proud reputation as a place that caters for the Leeds community as a whole;
Committing appropriate funds to the upkeep and maintenance of the Grade I listed market building;
Widening the digital ‘reach’ of the market by further growing its already-strong following across various social media platforms while also helping traders raise their own online profiles.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader, said: “Leeds Kirkgate Market is a hugely important part of local life and it’s a real source of pride that we, as a council, have been able to support it so strongly over the last five years through a mix of investment and innovative thinking.
“Recovery from the effects of the pandemic has not been easy, but today the market is in good shape and ready to face the future with confidence. We know, though, that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and this new five-year strategy contains much to be excited about.
“My thanks to everyone at the market who took part in the consultation activity, it has played a vital role in the development of the strategy. Your support – and indeed the hard work and dedication that we see from traders and staff week in, week out – will help us ensure that Leeds Kirkgate Market continues to go from strength to strength.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th November 2021 
