Independent gift ideas for Leeds’ foodies from the city’s best small businesses
Food and drink related gifts are always a winner, so we've rounded up our favourite foodie gifts from Leeds indie sellers that you can pick up this weekend
If you've not had a chance to cross off your Christmas shopping yet this year, we've got you - especially when it comes to finding the perfect gift for the foodie in your life.
It really does feel as though Christmas crept up on us this year, either that or we've all just been too busy with dealing with whatever the world throws at us to find the time to go out and buy those all-important gifts.
Whilst Amazon might seem like an easy option, chances are your local indie brand will appreciate your custom much more - and even better, there's a genuine human smile at the end here.
Given the insecurities for small businesses over the last two years, it's important now more than ever to support our locals, and what better opportunity than just before Christmas?
Food and drink-related gifts are always a winner, so we've rounded up our favourite foodie gifts from Leeds indie sellers that you can pick up this weekend, so all you have to do is go from A to B to collect all your Christmas shopping.
Their rum business has gone from strength to strength in 2021, but the team has stayed humble, promising to help everyone get the gifts they need. The company recently stated that "you can count our ambience to either help tick off that Christmas list with military precision or think 'oh s**t I better get going'. All welcome no judgment here."
Find them in Victoria Gate until Thursday 23 December.
Who doesn't love a cheese board around Christmas time? The Cheesy Living Co. is one of Leeds' best lockdown success stories and their small business truly deserves some love over the festive period.
It's the only time of the year when it's acceptable to eat cheese for breakfast, dinner and tea, after all. You'll find them at the Leeds Briggate Farmer's Market on Sunday 19 December, but you can also easily order all their products online.
Stuzzi, an authentic Italian restaurant, and a very good one at that. Listed in the Good Food Guide 2020 no less, the team here is offering fans the chance to buy pre-packaged Christmas hampers to help share some festive cheer this season.
Each hamper is individually priced at £35 – £100 and comes with all you need for an Italian feast at home. The popular hampers can be designed to suit your needs or you can choose from premade packages created in-house by the staff.
It turns out that even your dog can support a local Yorkshire business this Christmas. These beer biscuits from Brewski's are made from leftovers from Brewdog's Punk IPA but the treats contain no hops or alcohol, so they’re perfectly safe for your dog to eat.
The Doggy Deli in Beverley stocks two variations of the tasty dog treats, including the original Punk IPA and a 'Hoppy Xmas' version.
If you're really pressed for time, there's nothing like a last minute Deliveroo order to sort out those Christmas gifts.
The Savvy Baker recently launched on the delivery platform, so you can get those orders at the very last minute and nobody will know. Choose from gooey brownies, brookies and more, all available as festive sets or standalone gifts.
If you're looking for a gift that will keep on giving well into 2022, Grön, like many other cafes around Leeds is offering out gift vouchers this year for Christmas. You can also take away their coffee for those friends and family that need caffeine to get through the days- they will certainly thank you for this present once they're back at work.
Simply choose your blend and the staff will wrap it up in store. But whilst you're there, you may as well grab a festive mulled wine or boozy hot chocolate to get you in the Christmas spirit,
A popular package holiday company has launched a new ‘Beckham Clause’ to help protect feuding families.
It's official… family fallouts are now holiday-proof, thanks to a new ‘Beckham Clause’ that’s been launched by a Manchester-based travel company On The Beach in the wake of the ongoing – and at this point, inescapable – Beckham family feud.
In case you need bringing up to speed, then allow us to (briefly) sum up the Beckham family drama for you as best as possible.
Basically, at the centre of this discourse the eldest Beckham child, Brooklyn, his wife Nicola Peltz, and primarily his mum Victoria, although as the months have gone on, it appears there’s no member of the Beckham family that isn’t somewhat involved (okay, maybe not Harper… well at least not publicly, anyway).
Image: Natalya Zaritskaya (via Unsplash)
Earlier this month, it was reported that Brooklyn had become estranged from his family, and had told his parents to contact him only through lawyers.
And then yesterday, of course, Brooklyn publicly spoke out about the accusations on his Instagram Stories for the first time ever… and all hell broke loose in the celebrity news world.
On the Beach’s new clause – officially titled the Family Fallout Refund, and already nicknamed the ‘Beckham Clause’ by bosses – aims to give holidaymakers peace of mind that no matter how messy things get at home, their getaway won’t suffer, as it applies to family holidays where one member suddenly drops out due to a feud, argument, or full-blown emotional meltdown.
Under the new policy, if a family member pulls out before departure, their share of the hotel booking will be refunded rather than leaving the rest of the group to foot the bill.
Family fallouts aren’t just limited to celebrities, every year hundreds of holiday bookings need amending due to feuds, On The Beach said, which is why it’s chosen to launch the new refund scheme.
“We love family holidays, but we’re also very aware that family fallouts cam hamper plans,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach.
“The ‘Beckham Clause’ is there for those moments when someone decides they’d rather cool off at home than by the pool.
“Our new perk means that if a family feud takes place and one person drops out, the rest of the group can still head off, relax, and enjoy the holiday they were looking forward to.”
The Family Fallout Refund is available on family holidays with five or more people, and needs to be claimed at least 60 days before departure.
It applies to new and existing bookings departing on or before 31 August 2026.
Three-acre padel court development set to move into historic Leeds landmark
Clementine Hall
Leeds-based Ollo Padel have revealed plans for a new three-acre padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse.
It seems like padel is taking over the world at the moment, and it's about to take over Leeds.
Three years after the plans were first put forward, Ollo Padel is set to bring a state-of-the-art padel and leisure centre to the outskirts of the city centre.
The Roundhouse is a Grade II listed Victorian landmark that first opened in 1847 and will be brought back to everyday use as a community-led space before the end of 2026.
Image: Supplied
The new space will feature five covered and four open courts, alongside hospitality and social spaces, retail space, fitness studios, gyms and more.
Being a Leeds-based company, Ollo Padel are working to put Leeds’ communities at the heart of the new centre, with plans for free school coaching lessons, school partnerships, inclusive programmes for women and juniors and focusing on providing a non-intimidating environment for all-ages and abilities.
The development is expected to create 14 permanent on-site roles, spanning coaching, front-of-house, hospitality and operations, with a strong commitment to local recruitment.
Image: Supplied
Will Linley, Co-Founder (Founder of Linley & Simpson) said: “These proposals focus on sensitively bringing one of Leeds’ most iconic buildings back to life — restoring the Roundhouse and creating a place people can enjoy, feel proud of and use as part of everyday city life.
“Padel is a brilliant way to bring people together. We’re designing Ollo around the social side of the sport — creating a place that supports both physical and mental wellbeing through movement, play and connection”
Luke Gidney, Founder, Ollo Padel said: “We are so excited about the opportunity to create this centre for Leeds. We’re still at an early stage, and that really matters to us, because it means local residents, businesses and community groups can help shape the plans. We want to listen, learn and make sure the Roundhouse works day to day for the people around it.”
Sophie Smith -
16th December 2021 
