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Leeds cafe owner nominated for ITV’s Woman of the Year award
Maureen runs a popular takeaway in Harehills and during lockdown sent out food packages to her neighbours for free, feeding anyone who needed it. Now, she's being recognised with an award
A popular cafe owner from Leeds has been nominated for the Woman of the Year kindness award on ITV show Lorraine.
Maureen Wilkes, who runs the popular Afro-Caribbean restaurant Maureen's Caribbean Takeaway on Roundhay Road, has been nominated for her incredible work feeding the community during the Covid lockdown.
The 63-year-old acted selflessly during the height of the pandemic, feeding others in her local community and sending out packages to neighbours for free, feeding anyone who needed it - including local key workers, emergency service staff, nurses and doctors.
Now she's been recognised with the nomination, having been put forward for the award by her three very proud daughters.
Image: ITV
On Monday morning a reporter from the show surprised Maureen at her shop with the news, live on air, whilst members of the community and her family waited outside around the back.
Maureen herself had no idea they were coming and was incredibly emotional whilst being interviewed.
Now she is due to travel down from Harehills to London to attend the awards ceremony.
Speaking to the YEP, Maureen said: ""I have been feeding people for years, I just thought 'let me do something'."
She was reportedly grinning "from ear to ear" when she received the surprised visit from ITV's reporter - and shed a few tears too after being taken by complete surprise.
Maureen is now looking forward to visiting London for the ITV awards ceremony.
Feature image - ITV
Leeds
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Leeds later this year
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Leeds' most iconic stages this winter.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at the Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7 until Saturday 12 December 2026.
Leeds speakeasy crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world by industry experts
Clementine Hall
The beloved Domino Club is receiving its flowers, and rightly so.
Rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most respected accolade of excellence, The Pinnacle Guide is a worldwide ranking of the best bars across the globe.
Based on a thorough self-application process, rigorous assessment modules, followed by a series of spot check interviews and anonymous in-bar reviews, it's no easy feat to get a spot on this list.
Which is why it makes The Domino Club's achievement all that more impressive.
Known amongst locals and visitors alike as basically one of the coolest bars in town, the hidden speakeasy invites you through a barbershop in the Grand Arcade where downstairs you'll find a dimly lit jazz and cocktail bar oozing sex appeal.
Not only are the cocktails exceptional, but their live music listings is something to behold playing everything from jazz and funk to cabaret and disco every Wednesday - Sunday.
Announcing the news to Instagram, The Domino said: "Listed by The Pinnacle Guide. The Domino Club has been recognised on the global list of the world’s best bars.
"What began as a hidden basement bar in Leeds, built around live music, cocktails and atmosphere, is now being recognised alongside some of the finest bars in the world.
"A huge thank you to our team, musicians, suppliers and every single guest who has supported us over the years. This means a lot. Leeds belongs on the world cocktail map."
We absolutely could not agree more and if you haven't ventured behind the barbershop and discovered the magical Domino Club, then we very much recommend you do.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
