Leeds

This Leeds restaurant is donating all profits to help with earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria

What a lovely idea.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 9th February 2023

All profits made today, Thursday 9 February will be donated to charity.

The team behind Fleur, a local foodie spot inside The Light, best known for its Instagrammable setting and celebrity head chef Bobby Geetha, has announced that today the restaurant will be donating 100% of all profits to UNICEF.

The children's charity have called for support this week following the devastating news that  a 7.8 magnitude earthquake had hit regions of both Turkey and Syria.

Founder, and Head Chef, Bobby Geetha, said, “Seeing the hurt and the heartbreak this natural disaster has already caused is devastating. We want to support those affected in the best, and fastest, way possible which is why we’re committing to donate all of our profit tomorrow to the relief effort. 

“We hope that as many people as possible in our city will do the same by either joining us at our restaurant tomorrow, or donating directly to UNICEF and the many other charities supporting the earthquake relief efforts”. 

chef in restaurant.
Head Chef Bobby Geetha at Fleur. / Image: Supplied

Fleur will be open from 11am tomorrow, and hope to 'raise as much money' as possible in response to this natural disaster. 

Diners can take advantage of all the usual specials the restaurant is known and loved for - like crispy bao buns, creamy curries and pasta dishes as well as bottomless mocktails and cocktails drink options.

menus held up.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Two plates of pasta.

The money raised will be sent to the charity, who are already mobilising supplies and services to help those in need.

Following this disaster, UNICEF have stated, “We are especially concerned for the safety and well-being of children who have lost their homes, those who are sleeping rough, and those who have been separated from their families.”

“In Syria, we are mobilising supplies and services to support the urgent needs of children and families. And we are ready to support the response in Türkiye as and when requested by the government.”

Feature Image- Supplied

Leeds

Leeds has been crowned the best city in the UK for foodies outside of London

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It's fantastic news for our city as Leeds has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for foodies.

It's news that we've been pretty certain of for some time, but it's still nice to be recognised isn't it?

It comes from a new study carried out by credit card brand Aqua who analysed 30 major UK cities across a range of dining and social media metrics, including cuisine variety, restaurant availability, meal affordability, Michelin recognition and TikTok hashtag volumes. 

Coming in at number on was, of course, London.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

With 47 cuisines, 22.5 restaurants per 10,000 residents and 81 Michelin-starred establishments, the capital unsurprisingly continues to dominate the UK’s culinary scene.

But in at number two was our glorious city of Leeds, supported by the highest restaurant density in the study, with 38.5 establishments per 10,000 people, and strong affordability compared with cities in the south.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

We will absolutely take that.

Other northern spots to feature on the list include Sheffield and Bradford in sixth and eighth place.

The top ten UK cities for foodies are:

  1. London
  2. Leeds
  3. Nottingham
  4. Edinburgh
  5. Wolverhampton / Leicester
  6. Sheffield
  7. Birmingham / Glasgow
  8. Bradford / Swansea
  9. Preston
  10. Milton Keynes

Here in Leeds we've got so many fabulous food spots, with new openings cropping up every month it's hard to keep track.

From the multi award-winning Bavette Bistro in Horsforth to the highly acclaimed indie Bundobust that started off in Leeds - you certainly won't find yourself hungry or at a loss for somewhere to eat here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds


Leeds

From Hope to Hardship: Small Island Brings Windrush Stories to Leeds Playhouse

Declan Kelly Declan Kelly

An emotional journey of dreams and displacement.

Leeds Playhouse’s latest production brings a vital and often underrepresented chapter of British history powerfully to the stage.

Small Island, directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia, serves as a compelling microcosm of the migrant experience during the Windrush generation, placing memory, dreams, empire, and entitlement firmly at its core.

This bold and deeply affecting staging expands Andrea Levy’s celebrated novel into a rich, immersive theatrical experience that feels both epic in scope and strikingly intimate. Moving fluidly between Jamaica and postwar London, the production captures the dislocation, resilience, and quiet courage of those who arrived with hope, only to be met with hostility and exclusion.

Image: Supplied

Hortense and Gilbert’s pursuit of dignity and opportunity is portrayed with warmth and nuance, while Queenie’s compassion and Bernard’s unease reflect a nation grappling with profound social change. The play weaves together multiple narratives shaped by the Windrush era, each driven by a desire for a better life, and each revealing the emotional and physical toll of that journey.

What sets this production apart is its remarkable balance between sweeping historical scope and emotional intimacy. The lilting rhythms of calypso infuse the piece with moments of joy and nostalgia, while stark staging and visual contrasts underscore the bleak realities of 1940s Britain. The parallel lives of the characters highlight the shared struggles faced by many Caribbean migrants of the time.

Image: Supplied

One of the most striking elements is the rotating house in Act Two, which becomes a powerful visual metaphor for division and displacement, physically embodying the discomfort and fractured realities of the characters’ lives. Meanwhile, the use of projection reminiscent of archival broadcast footage transports the audience across continents, deepening the sense of time, place, and lived experience.

At times, the play is harrowing, bringing the struggles of the Windrush generation into sharp focus and leaving the audience in disbelief at the treatment endured. There are moments so charged that you feel compelled to respond to challenge, to question, to intervene. Yet amid the hardship, there remains a strong sense of warmth and the enduring promise of hope. Bronte Barbe delivers a compelling performance as Queenie, portraying her compassion with sincerity and strength.

Image: Supplied

However, the standout performance comes from Anna Crichlow as Hortense, offering a powerhouse portrayal that beautifully captures a character driven by ambition, resilience, and deep self-respect.

For those who may have only briefly encountered the Windrush generation in education, this production feels especially vital. It not only illuminates the trials and tribulations faced by a generation but also resonates with ongoing conversations about migration and belonging today.

There is a force in its vision that allows the audience to feel both the physical and emotional realities of the story. Though it does not shy away from bleakness, it ultimately offers connection, reflection, and a reminder of the enduring human capacity for hope.

Image: Supplied

Overall, Small Island is a captivating and emotionally rich production from start to finish. The cast skillfully balances moments of humour with deeply moving scenes, creating a theatrical experience that lingers long after the final curtain. The stories it tells of resilience, injustice, and aspiration feel more relevant than ever.

Theatre continues to act as a powerful lens through which we can better understand both our history and our present, and this production stands as a compelling reminder of why these stories must continue to be told.

Running at Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Theatre until 28 March and you can get your tickets here.

Read more: Leeds comedy club to celebrate first birthday with world-class lineup including Joe Lycett and Russell Kane

Featured image - Supplied

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