A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
X
Eats
The Christmas food bank appeal you can donate to with a ‘reverse advent calendar’
Foodbanks are in desperate need of longlife supplies to keep families on the poverty line warm and well fed over Christmas: donate your supplies using their reverse advent calendar appeal.
Christmas is about far more than receiving, give to those in need this winter using the reverse advent calendar scheme.
The season of giving shouldn't apply to just close family and friends, especially when 1-in-5 of the UK population live below the poverty line.
If you have any spare change at all this Christmas, consider donating food, drink and warm clothes to those that will need it most over the colder months of the year.
To get all of the family involved in giving, the Leeds North and West Foodbank have put together the 'reverse advent calendar appeal'.
The idea is that every day, you pick up one item and put it into a donation box of your choice.
All donations are gratefully received by Leeds North and West Foodbank. / Image: Asda Corporate
Once you reach the 25th day, your box will be full and you can take it to either a distribution centre or the foodbank warehouse on Burley Road.
You can download your own reminder and calendar on the Leeds North and West Foodbank website or you can choose to donate whatever you deem necessary as you go along.
The charity advise that to make the activity fun for children and raise the spirits of those using the foodbank boxes, the inclusion of a homemade christmas card would be greatly appreciated.
The foodbank is in need of the following items, and may be included in your reverse calendar boxes:
Tinned fruit
Tinned vegetables
Pasta sauce
Long life milk
Long life fruit juice
Tinned or packet puddings
Tinned fish
Tinned meat
Packets of biscuits
Rice, pasta or noodles
Tea bags
Coffee
Jam
Soup
Cereal
Tinned Tomatoes
Rice pudding
Tinned custard
Chocolate donations are also appreciated during this time of year.
Unwrapped small gifts suitable as stocking fillers are also very welcome as are financial donations if you wish to support us in this way
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
12th November 2021 
