Cooks Club are looking for travellers from Leeds to take on the role of a 'bagvertiser' - a unique role that would see people earn a free holiday to Mallorca.
Fancy a free trip to the Balearic Islands? Well, you could be in luck as hotel and lifestyle brand Cooks Club are on the hunt for 'bagvertisers' to promote their brand.
The brand are opening their 11th hotel next month in Palmanova Mallorca and are asking for frequent travellers to swap their existing luggage to hotel-branded suitcases to get the word around.
Image: Supplied
The brand, which already has a popular hotel in Palma Beach in Mallorca, will give the lucky ‘bagvertisers’ a free holiday in Mallorca in exchange for using their branded merchandise
Travellers can apply for the roles via the brand’s social media channels.
Image: Supplied
A spokesperson for Cook’s Club, said: “Our guests are young, interesting and fun-loving holidaymakers so we wanted to celebrate the launch of our new Calvia Beach hotel with something equally fun and interesting.
“We believe our ‘bagvertising’ concept is a first-of-its-kind initiative and we will be rolling out our Cook’s Club-branded luggage during April and May."
Image: Supplied
Cook’s Club Calvia Beach opens in May 2023 in Palmanova, the new hotel will boast an idyllic infinity pool and its own private sandy beach area.
Do you fancy a bit of sun and think you have what it takes to be a bagvertiser? To apply, nominate yourself via direct message on Cook's Club instagram page.
Feature image - Supplied
Leeds
Leeds has been crowned the best city in the UK for foodies outside of London
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:
London
Leeds
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Wolverhampton / Leicester
Sheffield
Birmingham / Glasgow
Bradford / Swansea
Preston
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.
From Hope to Hardship: Small Island Brings Windrush Stories to Leeds Playhouse
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Clementine Hall -
5th April 2023 
