How to join, what to expect and how to get in touch...
Incase you missed the memo on our socials over the past few weeks, we've been texting the people of Leeds and beyond twice a week.
Every Monday and Friday, around 4-6pm, we send out a WhatsApp broadcast message with all the best things you can up to in Leeds that week or weekend.
The idea is that a member of our team (usually our Social Exec, Fran) will drop you a message with all the best things to do in Leeds - expect a bit of news, foodie recommendations, new openings and everything in between.
Take a look below to see what the Whatsapp message you'll receive will look like...
How to sign up
To sign up, you must save The Hoot's phone number +447507689583 and send us a WhatsApp saying “hi ”.
From there, you must add us as a contact to receive our weekly message - and that's it! We'll do the rest to make sure you receive a message from us twice a week.
You can add yourself any time of the day or night, and from this point you'll be added to the next broadcast list. For instance, if you add us on a Wednesday, your first message will be on the Friday.
to receive our broadcasts for next week and take a look at all the cool stuff we’ve been talking about over on WhatsApp over the last few months
I've changed my mind
If you've decided you no longer want to be messaged from The Hoot, all you need to do is send a message to The Hoot phone - +447507689583, and we'll remove you from our broadcast list.
It's no fuss, and means you can easily test out our Whatsapp broadcasts without worrying about getting bombarded with messages if you decide it's not for you.
Have any more questions?
You can actually message us on Whatsapp if you have any further questions about the broadcast message. Alternatively, drop us a DM on Instagram and a member of our team will get back to you.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds / Unsplash
Leeds
Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
The Hoot -
27th December 2023 
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