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.
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
4th November 2021 
