Yorkshire-based Concept Taverns is set to launch the twelfth venue in its rapidly expanding portfolio of bars and pubs this summer.
The Swan Tavern has undergone a huge £740k refurbishment in the site formerly occupied by the Riverside Fox in Ripponden.
The impressive new venue is set to open this summer and will feature a games room with pool and darts, a heated beer garden and a function room that can host up to 75 guests.
Sports fans will rejoice at the news that The Swan Tavern will be showing all the BT and Sky Sports action on multiple 4K screens throughout the two storey venue.
d Image: Supplie
Guests will be able to enjoy a huge range of delicious drinks including 10 draught lagers, four cask hand pull ales, cocktails as well as an extensive wine and spirit list.
Those feeling peckish can order from a menu featuring hand-stretched pizzas, sharing platters and mouthwatering small plates.
This exciting new opening will create 20 new jobs alongside the appointment of new Managing Director, Victoria Hatton.
Image: Supplied
Speaking ahead of The Swan launch, Victoria Hatton said: ‘’Having been part of the Concept Taverns success story going from five to eleven venues in the past few years, I was thrilled to accept my new role as Managing Director.
"I’m super excited to get started and I hope my position opens the door for more women to land similar positions in the industry. The Swan Tavern is a fantastic venue and the building itself has a rich history in the local area. We’re looking forward to becoming a key part of the community, and with so many great pubs, bars and restaurants in the area, we know we’re in great company.’’
Image: Supplied
‘’The Swan will be a fantastic modern pub and will showcase an exceptional range of cask and draught beers, cocktails and some fabulous food from our pizza oven. Add to this our games room and live sports, and you have a winning venue for food, drink and entertainment.’’
‘’We’ve really fallen in love with the area and are excited to open in Ripponden this Spring. Having spoken to people around the town they seem like wonderful people who are just as excited about The Swan as we are.’’
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Inside the historic Leeds mill transformed into a thriving hub for creatives
Clementine Hall
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Clementine Hall -
14th March 2023 
