A huge all-day African and Caribbean food festival is taking over Leeds' Kirkgate market later this month - and it's going to be completely free to attend.
Promising to be Leeds biggest Caribbean and African food festival, those heading down will find a host of emerging and well-established food vendors cooking up and serving their mouth-watering recipes, many passed down throughout generations
Hosted by The Cultural Arts Heritage Circle (Nubian Noire), the free-to-attend festival will celebrate an array of national dishes in a celebration of African and Caribbean heritage and culture.
Maureen's on Roundhay Road is one of the most recommended spots for Afro Caribbean food in Leeds / Image: thelastsuppernorth
Taking over Kirkgate Market's food hall from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday, 28 August, there'll be an array of food on offer here covering everything from Barbadian to Gambian cuisine.
There'll also be arts and crafts stalls as well as calypso music playing at the event, so if you're sad to be missing out on Leeds West Indian Carnival this year you can still head down for a dance.
It's all being put together by Nubian Noire, also known as The Cultural Arts Heritage Circle - first set up in 2019. The woman behind the project, Dionne Edwards, is on a mission to support BAME businesses and young entrepreneurs as small business battles its way out of the pandemic.
Black businesses have been particularly affected by the pandemic, according to Dionne, especially those within hospitality - so she was especially keen for Nubian Noire to do something to help support the community.
Safe to say, if you're a fan of Afro Caribbean food you won't want to miss this.
The food festival is free to attend but you will need to register in advance to secure a place. To register for your ticket, click here.
Alternatively, if you're a trader who would like to take part in the festival then you can email artsheritagecircle@gmail.com.
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd August 2021 
