Make yourself some toasty treats whilst grabbing your Christmas shopping.
Naturally, Trinity shopping centre is likely to make an appearance on anyone's Christmas shopping stop. Between the huge kitchen space with pop up food trucks to the wealth of stores- including some gorgeous independent creative spaces- it's easy to spend hours hunting down the perfect gift.
The much-loved Après Ski-themed decorations are up and there's plenty of Christmas trees to remind you of the holidays as you stroll through the floors- but now you can also grab a sweet treat and learn how to decorate s'mores for yourself.
The shopping centre has announced that it will be launching its first-ever make-your-own s’mores pop-up alongside a number of 'Après Ski Weekender' events and decorations.
Trinity is in the Christmas spirit already. / Image: Supplied
It all kicks off this weekend from Saturday 26 November 2022 with DJs bringing festive hits to shoppers and a special giveaway- including handmade s'mores kits.
Then, those wanting to get messy with an interactive foodie experience should return the following weekend for a 'special s'mores experience' on Saturday 3 December and Sunday 4 December 2022.
Grab yourself a pot of mouthwatering s’mores with crumbled cookies and melted chocolate ganache, finished with pillowy marshmallow from Leeds-based business The Marshmallowist- all for free over the December weekend.
But that's not all, each pot of s’mores will be toasted to perfection with customisable flavours like vanilla, raspberry, champagne and gingerbread all hand-piped onto the s'mores, before adding sprinkles of toppings like Christmas pudding and honeycomb to ‘bacon crumble’ and roasted parsnip crisps.
Nick Jones, Assistant Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Christmas is just around the corner and we’re celebrating in style at Trinity Leeds, with live DJ performances, special surprises and giveaways and free sweet treats to get everyone in the festive spirit.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of our unique custom s’mores pop-up, which is like nothing we have ever done before at the centre. With festive flavours such as pigs in blankets, roast parsnips and Christmas pudding with brandy soaked fruit, we’re sure the delicious pick-me-up will go down a treat with guests.”
There will also be a gift wrapping service available from Trinity Guest Services that will be running from Thursday 1 December until Christmas Eve. All donations will go towards the St Vincent's charity, who help to support vulnerable people and families across the city centre.
For more information on the Après Ski activities or how to get involved in any of the festivities at the shopping centre, visit the Trinity Leeds website.
Feature Image- Supplied
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.”
Sophie Smith -
22nd November 2022 
