Several bars and clubs across Leeds have spoken out about the recent outcries for more support and preventative measures for drink spiking across the UK.
Over the past few weeks, a staggering number of women have spoken out about their experience of being injected or having their drinks spiked on a night out.
Bars and clubs recognise that nobody should feel unsafe on a night out and many, including the likes of Pryzm, Mint and Hi-Fi have addressed their clientele to share their new security procedures, which they hope will help to combat drink spiking in their venues.
The response comes after the organisation of Girls Night In, an event being held this Wednesday to make a stand against drink spiking and violence, particularly towards women. The boycott of bars and clubs for one night hopes to address clubs and bars on a national level to reform their security process, including bags searches to prevent needles or drink.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVSyoudohmJ/
Przym Leeds
Club venue Pryzm, which has a chain of nightclubs across the UK, were one of the first hospitality businesses to address drink spiking and have listed a range of ways that they are working with the public to tackle this problem.
Fully training staff on drink spiking, actively implementing the 'Ask Angela' scheme and use of extensive CCTV footage are just some of the measures in place.
The chain also stated that they will be providing 'anti-spiking bottle stoppers and protective drink covers' upon request once they are back in stock. Customers that wish to use one in their drink should ask at the bar when ordering.
Use of a phone and phone chargers are also available upon request. Przym state that they are happy to call a friend, family member or a taxi for their customers free to charge in their recent Facebook post.
The Old Red Bus Station
The Old Red Bus Station are having extended meetings with their team to try and tackle drink spiking. / Image: The Old Red Bus Station
Local bar, The Old Red Bus Station, have also released a statement.
"The Old Red Bus Station is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our guests and staff and as a part of this process, we have had extended meetings with our security team and our on-site medical team to ensure we are doing everything to continue keeping our patrons safe.
We will be releasing in-depth guidance around the venue to raise awareness and will be happy to respond to any questions that you may have. At Old Red, there is CCTV across the venue and we have rigorous checks in place at the door. We are also involved in the “Ask for Angela” scheme and will be undertaking further staff training in the coming weeks."
Hifi Club Leeds
The local club state that they are "fully behind" the Girls Night In movement in Leeds and are "absolutely committed to ensuring that their space is a safe environment for everyone".
Drink covers are going to be provided to customers as soon as possible and security have been briefed to carry out more searches. CCTV is in place and anyone caught spiking drinks will not only be banned from the venue for life, but they will also be handed over to the police.
Mint Warehouse
Mint Warehouse have issued a statement to customers about drink spiking. / Image: Mint Warehouse
Mint Warehouse have also spoken out against the rise of spiking in nightclubs and bars and reassured customers that they are committing to making their venue a "safe space for everyone".
The club have added extra security, including female door supervisors and are looking into introducing body worn cameras to act as an additional deterrent. The club are also advising their customers to "stick with friends; don't leave drinks unattended and don't accept drinks from strangers".
Secret Krush
The Backroom management team at Secret Krush "pride themselves on several key safety measures", stating that:
"We frequently test and train our staff and management teams to recognise & support vulnerable females; quite often we’ll pay for taxis home for them if we can’t find their friends to help them".
Working closely with the local police and BACIL, full CCTV and "the strictest door policy in the city" are some of their other policies that hope to curb the rise in drink spiking. The popular venue also underlined the importance of training staff and keeping drinks close to avoid any tampering.
"As soon as you put your drink down whether it has a cover or not there is always a risk of someone tampering with it, so please don’t leave it unattended. Sadly, there’s no fool proof solution against drinks tampering, but making sure we let the right people in, conducting thorough searches and having plenty of trained staff are key."
If you have been affected by any of the issues that have been brought up in this article, please reach out to #AskForAngela, Street Angels Leeds, Good Night Out Campaign, Not on my Campus UK, Women’s Lives in Leeds or Nightlife Crew.
A Yorkshire-born and bred artist and his creative team have earned the huge honour of creating the official FIFA scarf collection for this year's World Cup.
Nothing short of massive for anyone from our part of the world.
The local legend in question is Tom Pitts, who was born in Sheffield and is now based just beyond Leeds, leading the campaign right from the helm.
Hand Drawn Pixels is a graphic design and digital studio based in Otley, and while you'll see plenty of folks wearing football shirts and even the odd scarf on the town's famous pub crawl, these lot are venturing on an entirely different kind of run this summer.
In fact, the work has very much already started, with Tom and co. collaborating directly with FIFA and US manufacturers, Global Scarves, to create the World Cup collection.
With this year's tournament obviously taking place across America, Mexico and Canada, they've joined up with a big LLC, but they describe themselves as "a true English custom scarf company with American parents."
In their words, "We knit scarves for clients all over the world", with a presence both near Leeds and over in Seattle, Washington.
The fixtures themselves kick off next month (England's first game coming against Croatia on 17 June), and so Hand Drawn Pixels have been hard at work meeting the briefs for each of the nations taking part.
Here's a quick breakdown of how the opportunity came about, their vision for the project, and how everything starts for them as a whole process.
You can see more of their work HERE, but as the brand name would suggest, it's pretty simple to begin with: nothing more than a pencil.
It's worth noting that the 2026 World Cup also featured the largest number of teams in the competition's history: 48 qualified national squads, to be exact. So, technically, they've had even more designing to do than they theoretically would have in any of the previous years, too.
Tom confessed that winning this bid is obviously a big deal on its own and that seeing his creations being worn in person by supporters at the stadiums will be a "surreal" experience.
Speaking exclusively with The Hoot, he said: "It’s been an amazing creative challenge for us to truly reflect the individuality and diversity of the nations competing in this prestigious tournament on such an iconic product as the football scarf."
He went on to add that "the whole project has been a huge learning experience, gaining deeper cultural insight into every nation involved."
We can't wait to cast eyes upon a sea of colour and finely crafted fabric in unique but somehow universally familiar patterns, all designed right here in 'God's Own Country'.
Award-winning Sardinian restaurant Domo announces Leeds opening date
Clementine Hall
Domo will officially open the doors to its Leeds venue this summer.
Get ready for Domo Leeds, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
Domo has confirmed it will officially open the doors to its first Leeds venue on Friday June 5, so we really don't have long to wait.
Located at the iconic Tower Works development, Domo Leeds will offer a vibrant new canal-side destination, perfect for the summer months.
Alongside the main restaurant menu, there’ll be a dedicated bar food menu designed around relaxed dining and carefully crafted small plates designed to pair with the drinks offering creating a more informal way for guests to experience Sardinian flavours.
Domo co-founder, Sarah Elliott-Busceddu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to finally open the doors and welcome people into Domo Leeds. From day one, our vision has been to create a space where everyone feels welcome and somewhere that brings people together in the true spirit of Sardinian hospitality.
“Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a relaxed catch-up over drinks after work, or a big family celebration, we’ve designed Domo to feel warm, inclusive and full of life. We can’t wait for people in Leeds to experience not just the food and drinks, but the atmosphere and sense of community that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
Sophie Smith -
25th October 2021 
