If you've ever looked at your bill and sighed after racking up more pounds than expected: we've got the perfect job for you.
There's an exciting position opening up at Open Gift Cards: a local gift card company that supports indie shops, bars and restaurants around Leeds, and it involves you spending their gift cards.
Three lucky people in January 202 will trade in their day jobs to become a ‘gift card spender’, and go shopping and dine in some of the best local independent coffee shops, cafes and bars in the city.
The idea is that the spenders will report back on their shopping experience and in return, have the opportunity to spend £100 at over 80 different cafes, restaurants and retail stores around the city.
You’ll even get free transport in and out of the city as every gift card comes with a First Bus Day mTicket.
Sounds like a dream job if you ask us.
You can spend your voucher at Saint Jude in Farsley and order anything on the menu. / Image: Open Gift Card
The company announced their search for staff on Instagram, stating:
“Applications now open for the best job in Leeds (probably). Are you passionate about supporting independent businesses? Do you like the sound of spending a £100 gift card in any of our 80+ partner indies….on us?
“If the answer to the last two questions is yes and yes, we want to hear from you. Open is looking for three gift card testers to take an afternoon or a day out in January, to visit a variety of independent businesses and spend some free £££ – think hair salons, delis, bars, retail stores.”
All you need to do is follow Open on Instagram, and enter as if it's a giveaway with the usual like, comment and share- but just make sure to tell your friends to like your comment as the person with the most liked comment will be the lucky shopper chosen for the experience.
If you need any more reasons to apply to shop for free in Leeds, here are just some of the places you'll be able to wine and dine whilst spending someone else's money:
George's
Saint Jude, Farsley
The Tetley
Liquor Studio
Punk Vegan, Hyde Park
Bare Coffee, Headingley
North Star Coffee Roasters
Hyde Park Book Club
George & Joseph, Chapel Allerton
Chophus, Oakwood
Pizza Fella
Sebbys
Little Yellow Rice Co.
Mill Kitchen, Farsley
Sabroso Street, Farsley
Grumpy's Pizza, Farsley
Tasty Kitchen, Oakwood
Slow Rise Bakery, Horsforth
Pookies Deli, Horsforth
S! Bar & Eats, Knaresborough
Horsforth Brewery & Tap Room
Dapur Malaysia, Chapel Allerton
Residence 74
and that's only a few of the options available.
Residence 74 in Oakwood accept the vouchers. / Image: Open Gift Card
Alternatively, you can choose to use your card for a shopping trip at an endless supply of retail stores, yoga studios and zero-waste stores and clothes shops in the city centre and neighbouring suburbs, including:
Leeds Refill in Hyde Park, Waste Not in Burley, The Nature Narrator, Handmade by Nabara, Becky Moore Designs,The Dance Studio, Headingley Enterprise and Arts, Sarah Louise in Horsforth and Haus of XS in Chapel Allerton.
For more information on Open Gift Cards, visit their website or to enter their draw to become their gift card spender, visit the Open Gift Card Instagram page.
Feature Image- Open Gift Card
News
Horsforth Brewery to takeover and save beloved Ilkley tap house
A renowned brewery have announced that they will be taking over the reigns of a popular craft beer bottle shop in Ilkley.
Fuggle & Golding opened in 2015 on Leeds road in Ilkley and quickly grew a loyal following with locals and visitors alike.
Sadly they announced last month that their last day of trading would be Saturday 28 February, news which was met with huge disappointment.
However this is no longer the case, as Horsforth Brewery is set to reopen the venue on Wednesday. Hooray!
Announcing the welcomed news to Instagram, Horsforth Brewery wrote: "When we saw they were going to close we were determined to not lose another great venue from the local beer scene.
"We owe a massive thank you to George and the landlord for getting a deal across the line in quick order.
"We’re going to take a few days to put our stamp on the place and then we will be open on Wednesday!"
"Obviously we will be stocking our beers here but as anyone who knows will know, we love the beer scene so we will continue to have a good amount of guest beer on as well. We’ll even been joining in with the biggest beer launches from around the country.
"Want to know the best news? We’re doing this solo. No outside interests, no investors, no debt. In the current climate being able to organically grow like this is so so hard and it’s thanks to all our team that we’ve been able to do this.
"We’ve always been determined to grow our business in a healthy and sustainable way; it may have (absolutely has) been tough over the years but we’ve got ourselves in a position to take us to the next level in a sustainable way."
Beloved late night Leeds cocktail bar The Maven announces permanent closure
Clementine Hall
"After years of late nights, strong cocktails, and incredible stories; The Maven will close its doors"
It's a sad day for the Leeds night life scene, as a beloved speakeasy bar has today announced that it will be closing its doors for good.
The Maven has been a firm favourite for many years with those looking to enjoy some experimental and expertly made cocktails.
Hidden behind an unassuming door at the top of Call Lane, it was a great spot to visit if you were looking for something that little bit special.
Announcing the news to their social media, The Maven said: "From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for being our guests over the years and promise that until then, we'll do our best to give you the best nights out on Call Lane."
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2021 
