News
Leeds restaurants add £1 onto bills to help the homeless this winter
Funds will go towards essential services like the creation of beds, housing, mental health advice and training and job support.
A number of Leeds restaurants are helping to provide beds, shelter and other essentials for the city's homeless this winter by adding an optional £1 donation onto customers' bills.
Some restaurants in the city are partnering with a national campaign called StreetSmart. which gives diners the option to add a £1 donation onto their bill for the less fortunate whilst they eat out and enjoy themselves over the festive season.
Local restaurants in Leeds taking part this year include Angelica, Crafthouse, East 59th, Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols, Issho, MEATLiquor Leeds, Solita Beverly and Solita Harrogate.
Across previous years, the campaign has raised over £10million in total – with ALL monies going directly to local organisations, thanks to the generosity of sponsors Land Aid.
This year’s campaign will run throughout the Christmas period, a time when many of us are out indulging ourselves in bars and restaurants.
Funds will go towards essential services like the creation of beds, housing, mental health advice and training and job support.
It’s the busiest time of the year for the hospitality scene, with diners tending to spend much more in venues over this period than they do throughout the rest of the year.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on people already living in poverty and the homeless community in Leeds, with an increase in the number of people being made homeless sadly set to rise as the pandemic continues.
The funds raised by StreetSmart partners in Leeds will go towards the critical work of local homegrown charities helping to improve the lives of homeless people.
These organisations are focused on helping individuals break the cycle, regain their dignity and rebuild their lives via positive action, as well as providing crisis and emergency shelter and food during the pandemic.
To find out more and see all the participating restaurants, visit the StreetSmart website here.
Feature image - StreetSmart UK / Crafthouse leeds
News
New rules restricting the use of bikes and street trading are set to be introduced in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
New regulations are set to be put into place as part of the Briggate Action Plan.
Proposals for the plan, aimed at making some of the city centre’s busiest areas safer for everyone, received a huge amount of support during a public consultation last year.
Since then, the council have been drawing up the necessary regulations and signage, with the new rules now due to officially come into place over the next few months.
Once implemented, the action plan will mean a requirement to walk bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area from 10.30am until 8pm every day.
That means no surprise bicycles will try and run you over as you're doing your shopping, hooray!
The action plan will also introduce prohibitions around certain street trading activities in targeted areas, including mobile street traders.
Extended restrictions will be put into place during major city centre events including Leeds Pride, Light Night Leeds and the Leeds Christmas Market.
Anyone breaking the new rules could be given a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council, said: “The city centre welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and our aim is for every one of them to have the best and safest possible experience of Leeds.
“Through this action plan, we’ve taken important and meaningful steps to address issues which the public have consistently told us were impacting their enjoyment of the city centre whilst also creating potential safety issues for shoppers and pedestrians.
“With these new regulations in place, our hope is that both day-to-day visits and major events will now be even more enjoyable, successful and welcoming.”
The new restrictions on pedlars are expected to be in place from Thursday 1 October, with restrictions on bikes in pedestrianised areas due to be in place by the end of the year.
Read more: Huge new two-storey late-night venue with beer hall and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Huge new two-storey late-night venue with beer hall and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
A new late-night venue is set to open in Leeds city centre.
And luckily for us, we don't have long to wait.
Introducing Klubhaus, a new venue by The Bierkeller brand that will open its doors on Friday 30 October on Merrion Street in Leeds city centre.
Combining a whole host of things, Klubhaus will feature drinks, games, and its very own beer hall on the top floor.
'The Bier Hall' will offer your classic Bierkeller-style benches alongside a huge stage and vast dance floor, perfect for events and live DJs.
Elsewhere in the two-storey venue, there will be two bars and plenty of games including dart boards, pool tables, and Bierkeller's popular ‘Spin the Wheel’ game where customers are given the chance to spin a large wheel behind each bar to unlock discounts and offers.
Dave Howarth, Brand Manager of The Bierkeller said: “Klubhaus is an exciting Bierkeller concept, and Leeds is the perfect city for a more drinks-led, late-night version of the brand.
“With two floors, two bars and The Bier Hall, we've built a venue on Merrion Street designed for the perfect night out.”
Considering the location, we've got a feeling this will do very well for those who prefer to party at the top of town on Merrion Street.
And with the prospect of bagging yourself a free drink from the mysterious wheel...who could resist?
You can have a look at what to expect via the Klubhaus by Bierkeller website here.
Read more from The Hoot Leeds:
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Georgina Pellant -
30th November 2021 
