A Christmas party is coming to Leeds for small businesses and self employed workers and best of all, there's no networking involved.
Small businesses, self employed workers and freelancers don't exactly get the best deal when it comes to socialising at party events.
Unless you're a keen networker or already have plenty of allies within your sector, Christmas usually goes by without a party in sight.
Not anymore.
The Sleigh Bell Social is a Christmas Party designed to bring people from all sectors together for a night of festive cheer. For freelancers, small businesses and self employed workers, this one is going to be a night to remember.
On Sunday 12 December grab some comfy dancing shoes and a santa hat and head down to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for a Christmas party like no other.
Whether you made the leap to go self employed in lockdown or have owned a small business for years gone by, this night is all about celebrating Christmas with people that are just like you.
The no networking Christmas party is a night of festive celebrations where making new friends is optional. / Image: Sleigh Bell Social
Organised by Leeds' Ink events, the idea is there will be zero networking. That's right. No need to put on a smile and pretend to enjoy creating business opportunitites.
It's time to let your hair down and have some much needed time off.
Tickets give party-goers access to a free drink on arrival, followed by a delicious three course meal with all the festive trimmings.
A night of live music from a 1920s swing-style band, Christmas games and yuletide activities will follow to celebrate the tough year 2021 has been for small businesses.
Plus, everyone gets a secret santa gift, so nobody will walk away empty handed.
Secret santa, free drinks and a three course meal are all part of the tax deductible ticket price. / Image: Sleigh Bell Social
Organisers Leeds' Ink Events explained that they wanted to offer a stress-free evening for those most affected by the pandemic and other pressures that 2021 has brought..
“After another touch-and-go year for small business owners and freelancers, we wanted to put something together which is purely a celebration, no networking or sales pitches, just a good, straight up party with drinks and dancing!
If you come away from the night with a few new awesome business connections then that’s just an amazing bonus.”
Tickets are available online from £50 but as HMRC is providing tax relief against the cost of holding a Christmas party for business employees, the Sleigh Bell Social is completely tax-deductible.
Bring on the mulled wine and mince pies and enjoy a night of celebrating the festive season with like-minded individuals across Leeds.
The Sleigh Bell Social will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday 12 December from 7pm.
Bramley’s independent festival is back after a sell-out first year.
Three local businesses, no corporate sponsor, one big day.
That's the motto of Mill Fest - an indie festival returning to Swinnow Grange Mills in Bramley after a sell-out debut that brought more than 600 people through the gates.
Mill Fest began as a shared idea between three Bramley businesses who fancied putting on a proper day out for the area, and we're so glad they did.
Last August it turned Swinnow Grange Mills into a full day of live music, street food, flash tattoos, market stalls and cold pints in the sun. We can't think of a better way to spend the day to be honest.
Images: Supplied
This year Mill Fest is back and taking place on Sunday 2 August, and the plan is simple - keep what made it work and build on it.
There will be a full day of live music, the return of the flash tattoo day, more independent traders, street food and local beer. This time the team is keen to bring in more businesses and faces from around the area, and the full lineup and programme will be announced over the coming weeks.
Images: Supplied
Owen Wilson from Against the Grain Bar said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here. Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”
Danae Miller from Grays Salon said: "The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger. We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”
American rapper cancels rescheduled Leeds gig AGAIN due to ‘ongoing illness’
Clementine Hall
Action Bronson cancels Leeds gig for a second time, and it's safe to say fans aren't happy.
Ariyan Arslani, better known by his stage name Action Bronson, is an American rapper, chef and TV personality with a huge following.
The star was meant to perform at Project House last Tuesday 30 June but the show was cancelled the morning of, and subsequently the venue released an updated date of Tuesday 7 July.
It seems fans of Bronson may be experiencing some deja vu, as the gig has yet again been cancelled with short notice.
Except this time, no rescheduled date has been given.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The statement by Project House reads: "We have been informed by Action Bronson's team that regrettably, due to an ongoing illness he will be unable to perform at Project House this evening.
"We're incredibly sorry to be cancelling at such short notice. We had hoped last week's postponements would allow for sufficient recovery time but sadly, that has not been the case. Action is as disappointed as we are and we'd like to wish him all the best. Refunds will be issued from the point of purchase."
And it's fair to say the comments are...interesting, with fans far from happy about a second cancellation.
One comment reads: "Well enough to play two shows in London and one in the Netherlands, but just can’t seem to shake a cold to get to Leeds."
Whilst another disappointed fan commented: "He’s not ill guys! Obviously not a knock on the lovely folks at project house, but that’s a bullshit reason he and his team have come up with for insurance purposes!"
Sophie Smith -
4th November 2021 
