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
Sheffield’s beloved Baker’s Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site
Tried and trusted Sheffield indie spot Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site and potentially dropping its "micro-bakery" title.
Opening just three years ago, Baker's Yard has become a sweet-treat staple in its Sheffield neighbourhood, Kelham Island, so much so, the owners have taken to social media to announce some very big plans.
Known for keeping Kelham Island visitors satisfied with their key lime pie and cheesecakes to loaves of bread and freshly baked pastries, now Baker's Yard is expected to continue doing so on a larger scale.
After putting out a call-out post earlier this month to recruit more front of house team members, the bakery waited just one more week before sharing its latest news.
What was once a "micro-bakery" is now about to undergo a particularly large transformation, as revealed in a new announcement via social media by the Baker's Yard team: "Our bakery is growing, into next door!"
Explaining this decision in further detail, the Kelham Island hotspot has said: "You can expect a greater variety of bakes, breads, pastries and cakes, including bespoke celebration and wedding cakes".
Already known for their bakery and coffee shop-hybrid, as well as the bespoke cake services they offer too, now Baker's Yard are covering all bases with an all-new venture.
Life just got a whole lot sweeter, as you'll be able to get your Baker's Yard fix all-day-long with the arrival of a restaurant, with the team promising, "Baker's Yard Bistro, a French inspired neighbourhood eatery" later down the line.
This year has been nothing but positive for this independent Sheffield business, as back in March Baker's Yard found itself included in The Good Food Guide's Top 50 Bakeries in the UK - Huge congrats.
Sheffield's beloved Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site / Credit: The Sheff
Anyone up for sampling some sweet treats or savoury selections that Baker's Yard has to offer can currently find them at 1 Baker's Yard, Sheffield (and very soon 2 Baker's Yard too) or online HERE - Good luck guys.
Featured Images - The Sheff (supplied)
News
The popular Manchester brunch spot serving all things viral is coming to Leeds
Clementine Hall
A brunch spot made famous across the pond is opening a site in Leeds.
If you're a fiend for all things brunch, then this news is going to get you a little bit excited.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its innovative watermelon sandwiches.
Oh, and they also went viral for serving a Labubu French Toast...but we'll let the photos do the talking on that one.
Images: The Manc Group
They've currently got one site in Manchester city centre with one more almost ready to open its doors, and now they're making their way across the Pennines and opening their first Yorkshire cafe right here in Leeds. Aren't we lucky.
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Bruncho said: "We’ve been keeping a HUGE SECRET, but now it’s finally time to share… LEEDS CITY CENTRE WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!!
"Keep your eyes peeled on our socials, we’ll be announcing our opening date SOON!!"
Images: The Manc Group
With queues constantly forming at their cafe in Deansgate, Manchester - we're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
It's not the first brunch spot to make their way over, with Federal opening on Boar Lane earlier this year that has been packed out ever since.
We'll of course keep you in the loop with opening dates as and when we find out but for now, Bruncho we can't wait to welcome you to our city.
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2021 
