A Holiday Inn in Leeds has taken in several Afghan refugees that formerly worked for NATO for two decades in their home country.
The four-star Holiday Inn on Wakefield Road in Garforth is being used to temporarily house some of the refugees - meaning that it is now closed to the public.
It is being used as part of the government’s Afghan Resettlement arrangements, but according to Leeds City Council officers were only told of plans to use it by the Home Office at "very short notice."
Garforth councillors found out the news via an email from Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Communities, Councillor Mary Harland.
The hotel is being used as a bridging hotel for the former NATO employees, who started arriving on Thursday 16 September.
In the email, Cllr Harland said: "As with other bridging hotels that have been stood up across the country service users will be housed at the hotel until permanent accommodation can be found for them.
"This may be in Leeds but can also be in other parts of the country."
Although it has been said that the former NATO staff are being housed here temporarily, it is not actually clear how long they will stay for with no time limit set on the hotel's usage by officials at Westminster.
Cllr Harland added: "The council are not consulted on any decisions about which hotels are used in the city.
"We are also unable to overturn this decision. Officers have met with the Home Office to understand what support will need to be put in place."
After news broke, some kind-hearted Leeds folk suggested taking over donations to the hotel - however staff have discouraged this, telling Leeds Live they are "not set up to receive donations" at this time.
Feature image - Trivago.
Leeds
Giggling Squid has launched a brand-new Leeds exclusive menu – and they threw a huge party to celebrate
Thai favourite Giggling Squid launched a brand-new menu exclusive to the city- and celebrated with a huge party.
Known for its beautiful colourful interiors, tropical-inspired decor and a menu packed with fragrant Thai favourites, Giggling Squid is bringing a proper little taste of Thailand to Leeds.
And the best part? They've now brought a city-exclusive set menu for us to get stuck into.
Priced at just £31.95 per person for two courses and a drink, or £37.95 per person for three courses and a drink, the new menu is all about getting stuck into a proper feast in true Thai fashion.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Things kick off with a choice of appetisers for the table, including prawn crackers or chilli chickpeas, the perfect way to settle into your meal.
Starters then include spicy popcorn chicken, prawn and squid lettuce cups, vegetable spring rolls and salt and pepper squid - so there's plenty of options whether you're after something fresh, crispy or with a bit of a kick.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For mains, you can opt Thai green curry served with jasmine rice, cashew stir fry and spicy crispy pork belly.
Or, if you're a noodle lover, get slurping the yellow tamarind duck noodles or keep it classic with a pad Thai stuffed to the brim with your choice of chicken, prawn or vegetable.
And, of course, no Thai feast would be complete without something sweet to finish.
Dessert options include apple pie spring rolls, coconut pudding with mango lime sauce and Mother-in-Law's chocolate mousse.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Drinks wise you can choose any soft drink, small beer or a glass of house wine and that's all included in the brilliant price, how good is that?
To celebrate the menu, The Giggling Squid hosted a launch that transported diners to the bustling streets of Bangkok on Park Row.
We're talking free canapés, cocktails, giveaways, a DJ set from Leeds' very own DJ Dman and of course, a goodie bag for guests to take home with them.
The set menu is available until 8 November, Monday - Sunday from 4pm until close.
Sound up your street? You can book in for the all-new set menu at Giggling Squid Leeds here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
10 brilliant new bars, restaurants and cafes that have opened in Leeds recently
Clementine Hall
Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food and drink, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about our top 10 favourite new openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Rotisserie Club
22 Wellington Street, LS1 4EA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new rotisserie chicken spot has landed in the city centre, serving everything from full and half roasted birds all served with their crispy house dripping roasties, as well as viral chicken Caesar wraps and rice bowls.
Dip or drench your chicken in their range of sauces and you’ve got yourself something worth licking your fingers over.
From the team behind Domino Club and Roland's comes Paper Plane, your newest cocktail bar that is a love letter to an analogue time where everything was made by hand.
The interior is inspired by 1970s Hollywood and Japanese listening bars complete with music played exclusively on vinyl to match, and the menu is perfectly curated, coming alongside its own martini menu served straight from the freezer.
After multiple pop-ups around the city, Acai Social Club has finally found a permanent home in Leeds, meaning getting your acai bowl fix is about to get a whole lot easier.
And the best bit? Unlimited toppings. There's also matcha, coffee and smoothies on the menu, plus new toppings dropping every week to keep things interesting.
Tahin
10 Kirkgate, LS1 6BY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One of the city’s favourite Turkish takeaways is back in the city and we couldn’t be happier for their return.
Formerly located in The Core, Tahiis a family-run takeaway that is whipping up the freshest dishes for you to eat on-the-go. Even at 4pm they’ve got queues out the door for authentic Turkish flatbreads Pide, Za’atar, Shawarma and more.
With fresh chicken and lamb ready to be shaved, warm, welcoming faces to greet you and prices you just can’t turn down because most dishes are under a tenner.
Alfonso's Deli
New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for its toasted Cuban sandwiches, coffee and stacked deli subs, Alfonso's Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches in the city.
And now they’ve opened a second site in the suburbs with Horsforth providing all the good stuff we know and love it for, plus fresh bakes which they’re making downstairs - oh, and you can also get yourself a cigar.
If you don’t know about Burgerism then get to know. The cult burger brand is famed over in the North West for their juicy, crunchy-around-the-edges smash burgers and now they’ve brought them to Meanwood.
Rizia's Bottega
114 Bolling Rd, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley LS29 8PN
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Vietnamese powerhouse Pho opened a permanent spot on Boar Lane and it's serving up the likes of beef brisket pho, crispy spring rolls, three meat combo rice bowls, and chicken curries - yum.
Mandy's Barbecue
3 Sheaf St, Leeds LS10 1HD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new Yorkshire barbecue spot has taken over the kitchen at The Attic near Aire Park serving up sourdough sarnies by day, with fillings cooked over fire. Expect your lunchtime to be levelled up with BBQ rump steak, Korean chicken and plenty of other local produce on the menu. Then, come evening, things switch up with small plates - including jerk mackerel, BBQ sirloin with kimchi, and lamb neck.
Georgina Pellant -
17th September 2021 
