Let's be honest, if you haven't heard about North Brewing Co. - where have you been?
The Leeds institution is known far and wide for brewing some of the north's most-loved drinks.
Now, celebrating the brewery's renowned selections of IPAs, experimental beer releases and craft ales, North Brewing Co. is bringing back Springwell Sessions just in time for the bank holiday weekend: a three day festival full of street food, alcohol and tunes.
Taking place on Friday 28 - Sunday 30 April 2023, four sessions across three days will bring together the best local independents in the area, as well as around the world breweries just outside of the city centre at North Brewing Co.'s own brewery, Springwell.
Images: Springwell
Hosted at Springwell, the indoor-outdoor event is going to be transformed into a collaborative space for some of the UK's favourite brands. Local favourites Bundobust Brewery will sit alongside DEYA, Cloudwater, and Brulo, amongst other exciting names in the beer world from near and far - including exciting appearances from overseas breweries.
Expect to taste the likes of Basqueland in Spain, Denmark's own ToØI, and from Berlin, Fuerst Wiacek.
And that's just the beginning.
Natural wine bar and deli Bottle Chop, famed in Far Headingley for its reusable wine initiative and standout selection of drinks will also be in attendance to give wine drinkers a taste of something a little different (and delicious) whilst the dedicated festival bar will be bringing fruity cocktails to the masses all day long.
Foodwise, those attending are going to be truly spoilt for choice.
Sicilian foodie favourites Poco Sicilian Street Food will be on hand to pair pints with pizza al taglio and fresh snacks like arancini and cannoli whilst vegan specialists Döner Summer will be bringing a selection of plant-based 'doner' similar to the teller trays and loaded fries drenched in sauce and salads served in the Call Lane store.
Little Bao Boy. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Springwell Sessions returns in April. / Image: Springwell
Jay Rayner recently reviewed Mor Mor's Levantine cuisine over at Kino, and it's safe to say that the standout review has left the pop-up kitchen highly esteemed across the city and beyond. Bringing a new Mexican concept to Springwell Sessions named Salma la Fondita - expect everything you know and love from the chefs at MorMor, just with foodie options inspired by North and Central America rather than the Levant.
Resident kitchens Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids will be cooking up their much-loved menu of steamed baos and smash burgers at Springwell over the weekender too - and just because they're permanently placed at the brewery certainly doesn't mean they should be overlooked for the occasion.
Whilst there will be plenty of alcohol for the grown ups to while away the afternoon, this is still very much a family occasion (dogs included), but in particular the Sunday session offers free entry for kids and a silent warehouse disco for all.
Springwell Sessions takes places across four sessions. / Image: Springwell
Tickets and Times
There will be four sessions in total taking place across the long weekend, with tickets to each event costing £12.96 (including a booking fee).
This gives you entry to the festival, a commemorative refillable glass to use throughout the event and take home with you afterwards, as well as a beer programme and a £1 donation to charity partners St George's Crypt.
Alternatively, you can grab yourself a ticket for the full weekend over all four sessions for £40.
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.
Sophie Smith -
27th March 2023 
