White Rose Leeds has introduced an in-centre Community Collection Bank where visitors can drop off donations to help their local community.
The Community Collection Bank, which launched this week, invites visitors to drop off donations no matter how big or small to benefit their local community via Leeds South & East Foodbank.
White Rose Shopping Centre has been supporting the Foodbank since 2020, and in that time has donated more than a whopping £14,000.
As well as food they have also provided laptops to the organisation, helping it create a digital hub to support users suffering from tech poverty, such as young people out of education and those experiencing barriers such as homelessness and unemployment.
We've launched a Community Collection Bank for guests to donate food and hygiene products to those in need.
You'll find our donation drop-off point at the Customer Services Centre, next to New Look and close to Car Park 6.
The collection bank can be found at the Customer Services Centre next to New Look and close to Car Park 6. They welcome both non-perishable food, hygiene supplies and are particularly in need of:
Juice
Tinned potatoes
Coffee
Tinned / packet custard
Cooking sauces
Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “Our partnership with Leeds South & East Foodbank is something we’re truly proud of at White Rose, and we’re pleased to introduce the Community Collection Bank to support them further.
“We hope the donations made through the centre are of great benefit to our local community.”
White Rose Community Collection Bank./ Image: Supplied
Wendy Doyle of Leeds South and East Foodbank added: “I would like to thank everyone at White Rose and all of its visitors for their continued support over the years, which have helped us to provide more than 10,000 meals to families in the local area.
“The Community Collection Bank will help us feed and support more people, who are needing our services now more than ever.”
The Community Collection Bank is accepting donations indefinitely during the centre's opening hours. For more information, visit the White Rose website.
Read more: All the places ‘Kids Eat Free’ in Leeds during February half term2023
Feature image - Supplied
Leeds
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
14th February 2023 
