Now that we've hit mid-November, it really is starting to feel like Christmas.
The Christmas-themed lights are illuminating the skies above Briggate; Chow Down has opened its Winter Village and we're watching festive tipis pop up around the city centre as if they're Christmas trees.
Naturally, the best way to come together for juletide spirits is to stuff our faces with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, turkey specials- and really, anything with cranberry sauce on it.
But rather than heading over to the same old place for the same old festive specials, Leeds Food Tours is bringing together the best of the city's independents and championing the local food and drink offering with a special Christmas food tour.
Taking place across Sunday 4 December 2022, those taking part in this year's Christmas food tour will be treated to six different venues, and there's even mulled wine to keep you toasty at your first stop.
For those that have previously been on one of Leeds Food Tours before, founder Ellen Miller has ensured that each of the Christmas stops will be at completely different- so it's a great chance to check out some new spots without repeating yourself.
In total the tour lasts four hours and involves stopping at six different locations across Leeds city centre, spanning a total walking length of 1.4 miles.
One of the most exciting components of the Leeds Food Tours is that its inclusive to different dietary needs. There's vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available, so there's no worry of having to go hungry at all on this tour.
If you can't make it to the Christmas special, Ellen runs regular foodie tours across the city, and can be either guided or self-guided depending on your preference- and either will make the ideal Christmas gift for anyone with a taste for exciting foodie options, and wants to support a local business this Christmas.
A feast for all the senses, Leeds Food Tours is a flexible guide around the city all based around food. The tours can take place any day of the week.
Those taking part in a self-guided tour simply need to follow the map and hand in special Leeds Food Tour tokens at each stop and welcome a range of dishes in return.
There's a choice of bao buns, tacos, falafels and gyozas on offer- and that's just the beginning.
Tickets to each food tour cost £65 per person, and include six stops across the city.
To find out more about Leeds Food Tours, including how to get involved in the Christmas special or bag one as a present, visit the Leeds Food Tours website.
Feature Image- Leeds Food Tours
News
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
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.
Sophie Smith -
21st November 2022 
