Make yourself some toasty treats whilst grabbing your Christmas shopping.
Naturally, Trinity shopping centre is likely to make an appearance on anyone's Christmas shopping stop. Between the huge kitchen space with pop up food trucks to the wealth of stores- including some gorgeous independent creative spaces- it's easy to spend hours hunting down the perfect gift.
The much-loved Après Ski-themed decorations are up and there's plenty of Christmas trees to remind you of the holidays as you stroll through the floors- but now you can also grab a sweet treat and learn how to decorate s'mores for yourself.
The shopping centre has announced that it will be launching its first-ever make-your-own s’mores pop-up alongside a number of 'Après Ski Weekender' events and decorations.
Trinity is in the Christmas spirit already. / Image: Supplied
It all kicks off this weekend from Saturday 26 November 2022 with DJs bringing festive hits to shoppers and a special giveaway- including handmade s'mores kits.
Then, those wanting to get messy with an interactive foodie experience should return the following weekend for a 'special s'mores experience' on Saturday 3 December and Sunday 4 December 2022.
Grab yourself a pot of mouthwatering s’mores with crumbled cookies and melted chocolate ganache, finished with pillowy marshmallow from Leeds-based business The Marshmallowist- all for free over the December weekend.
But that's not all, each pot of s’mores will be toasted to perfection with customisable flavours like vanilla, raspberry, champagne and gingerbread all hand-piped onto the s'mores, before adding sprinkles of toppings like Christmas pudding and honeycomb to ‘bacon crumble’ and roasted parsnip crisps.
Nick Jones, Assistant Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Christmas is just around the corner and we’re celebrating in style at Trinity Leeds, with live DJ performances, special surprises and giveaways and free sweet treats to get everyone in the festive spirit.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of our unique custom s’mores pop-up, which is like nothing we have ever done before at the centre. With festive flavours such as pigs in blankets, roast parsnips and Christmas pudding with brandy soaked fruit, we’re sure the delicious pick-me-up will go down a treat with guests.”
There will also be a gift wrapping service available from Trinity Guest Services that will be running from Thursday 1 December until Christmas Eve. All donations will go towards the St Vincent's charity, who help to support vulnerable people and families across the city centre.
For more information on the Après Ski activities or how to get involved in any of the festivities at the shopping centre, visit the Trinity Leeds website.
Feature Image- Supplied
Leeds
Otley is now bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Sophie Smith -
22nd November 2022 
