This Leeds Deli is running the most Instagrammable mum’s club- and it’s on an important mission
"We know only too well that being at home with a baby or toddler isn’t always fun and games (trust us we learnt this the hard way) - thanks to lockdown 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0."
Two lockdown mums have created the most aesthetic mum's club around, but it's all for a great cause: to bring new parents like-minded company.
If you're a new mum, expectant mum or long-time mum or dad: however you identify as a parent, there's support and newfound friends waiting for you- all you need to do is head to one of the most beautiful mum's clubs we've ever come across.
The Leeds Deli Mum Club isn't just there for the 'gram, though photo ops are aplenty, the group is on a mission to bring parents together and offer a morning in the company of others. Those that know exactly what its like trying to navigate life through parenthood in between lockdowns, family politics and everything else that the world is throwing at us right now.
The group is the perfect occasion to sample goods from The Leeds Deli. / Image: The Leeds Deli
"We know only too well that being at home with a baby or toddler isn’t always fun and games (trust us we learnt this the hard way) - thanks to lockdown 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0." says Tory, Co-Founder of the group.
It's a very important and worthwhile objective after the solitude of parenting in a pandemic and we're so excited to see something like this pop up in Leeds.
At each meeting, we're told no questions are off limits and all babies are kept entertained with soft play toys. There's even a mini deli for your little ones to play in whilst you grab a snack from the real version.
Hosted by Tory & George from The Leeds Deli & Fox & Moon., both local lockdown mums, the pair have been on a quest to create a community of local mums.
"The Leeds Deli Mum Club is definitely the closest we’ve been to ‘clubbing’ in a LONG time. There is in fact no clubbing going on" says Tori, from The Leeds Deli and Co-Founder of The Leeds Deli Mum Club.
"We're not regular mums, we're cool mums!!' or that is at least what we tell ourselves!"
"On a serious note, this event is all about socialising with like minded people and getting a chance to chat all about the highs and lows of parenting (and everything in between) without judgement."
Founders Tory and George. / Image: The Leeds Deli
The world has changed dramatically in the last twelve months, and with it, so has the way that we socialise, so clubs like this have become more important than ever.
"It's a way of meeting new people, making new friends and enjoying adult conversation with our little ones in tow – it’s not often you get to do both at the same time."
Soft play activities are supplied by a local company called Tiny Trio Play. / Image: The Leeds Deli
"Yes, there are moments of parenting that make us smile and melt our hearts but it can also be a little lonely and dare I say it... boring; and that’s exactly why we launched our Mum Club."
The Leeds Deli Mum Club is open to everyone: Tory told us that "expectant mums, new mums, bambinos in arms, toddler mums and also baby free and obviously dads are more than welcome to join the monthly event as well"- just make sure you get yourself a ticket well in advance as the club is growing ever-popular.
The most Instagrammable mum's club around brings parents on all sorts of journeys together. / Image: The Leeds Deli
The club works with a local soft play hire company called Tiny Trio Play, so there’s always plenty going on to keep the little ones entertained, but for grown ups there's "a bucket load of caffeine", including tea, coffee, Diet Coke and even morning Mimosas available.
Tickets cost £18.50 for each event, but this includes drinks and snacks for both grown ups and little ones, as well as "a chance to laugh, moan, make new friends, meet old friends & generally get out the house".
"May your coffee be strong and baby naps long". / Image: The Leeds Deli
As you can imagine, the luxury club is a highly sought after occasion for mums around Leeds, so the next event in February is already sold out. Luckily, there's still plenty of dates throughout the spring and summer months for mums on all journeys to attend.
The next available The Leeds Deli Mum Club will be held on Monday 13 March and will be held over three different time slots: 9am -11am, 11.30am - 1.30pm, 2pm - 4pm.
Themed around 'Mums, we dig you' - this session is inspired by owner Tory’s little boy Freddie and his obsession with diggers, so expect all things construction themed.
Feature Image- The Leeds Deli
Eats
Six of our favourite cosy pubs in Leeds City Centre to hide away from the rain
When the weather is rubbish, there’s nothing better than tucking away in the corner of a cosy pub with a good pint and a bowl of chips.
Thankfully, Leeds is blessed with many.
Roaring fires add extra comfort, as do old-fashioned characteristics like low-slung wooden beams and wood panelling, whilst big windows serve to let in a bit of light on the darker days.
To help you pick where to go, we’ve put together a list of our favourites below.
The Victoria & Commercial
Great George Street, LS1 3DL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Newest and maybe the most festive is The Victoria, originally opened in 1865 this historic pub has recently been reborn courtesy of Kirkstall Brewery and Whitelock's Ale House.
The interior here is absolutely beautiful, even without the decorations it feels festive. So if you're looking for that Christmas feeling all year round, this is the place to be.
Whitelock’s Ale House
Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Of course it wouldn't be a cosy pub guide without the iconic Whitelock's Ale House. The oldest pubs in Leeds, Whitelock’s is easy to miss – tucked away down a side alley off the main high street, but once you find it it's well worth the hunt.
A former marketman’s pub, inside you’ll find historic features like an old wooden bar and stained glass windows as well as good selection of beers, ales and traditional British dishes.
Crowd of Favours
4-12 Harper Street, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7EA
This laid back spot in Leeds is the perfect spot to get nestled in, enjoy a few pints and escape the dreary weather.
Food-wise, think lemon and thyme chicken wings, braised beef cheek and hearty stews. As for the drinks, there’s a solid wine and cocktail menu as well as a good selection of beers on draught.
The Highland Laddie
38 Cavendish Street, LS3 1LY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Empire Cafe, The Highland Laddie is one of Leeds' newest pubs but it's as cosy as it gets.
Fabulous traditional interiors with a proper homely feel to it, and of course the food is absolutely banging. Think oysters, ham and chips and belting sausage rolls.
The Lamb and Flag
1 Church Row, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7HD
Housed in a renovated 19th-century building, The Lamb and Flag boast a locally-sourced menu and a strong selection of local ales. A stone’s throw from Leeds Minster, there are two bars – one upstairs and one down. Between them, you’ll find ten different hand pulls pouring some of the best beer in Leeds..
The Brunswick
82 North St, Leeds LS2 7PN
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This absolute gem at the top of town has everything you could ever want in a pub. Great drinks, a warming atmosphere, a pool table and brilliant food.
The staff are always lovely and there's usually an adorable dog knocking about too.
The Franco Manca ‘pizza run’ explained – here’s how you can get a free pizza
Danny Jones
If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.
And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.
Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.
That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.
Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.
For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…
So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.
As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.
Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:
There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.
Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.
Sophie Smith -
8th March 2023 
