This is not a headline we ever expected to write... but there's a company that is actually willing to pay you to pick up dog poo.
As bizarre as it sounds - and trust us, we do know it's an odd one - Harringtons Pet Food is offering one lucky dog owner the chance to get paid to pick up their dog’s poo as part of a newly-launched campaign.
The #ScoopThePoop campaign encourages dog owners to monitor their canine companion's health through its poo before it's picked up and binned, as even though it is, admittedly, a bit grim to check, dog poo can often contain visual indicators of the animals' health, and/or the dietary changes that may be needed in their lives.
As part of the campaign, the dog food company says it's "on a mission" to encourage responsible dog ownership when out and about on dog walks this year, especially as you can be fined up to £100 on the spot for not picking up poo.
So, instead of being fined for leaving poo, how would you like to be paid to pick it up instead?
While we're not expecting loads of you to have answered 'yes' to that question, the successful applicant to this ‘dream job’ will front Harringtons Pet Food's #ScoopThePoop campaign, by communicating the message of the importance of picking up after your pet through social media, and will also receive a year's supply of dog food - which is worth £700.
The role is open to anyone and everyone with a dog.
Whether your walk is short or long, or your dog is a small breed or large breed, anyone that’s passionate about dog walking and responsible ownership is encouraged to apply.
Prospective candidates just need to be over 18 years old, and live in the UK.
A company is genuinely offering to pay someone £700 to pick up dog poo / Credit: Geograph | Unsplash
Fancy it then?
All you need to do to apply is fill out this form and let Harringtons Pet Food know which park you most regularly enjoy walks with your furry friend, as well as agree to spreading the #ScoopThePoop word on your social media channels at least twice in 2024 to receive the free £700-worth of dog food.
Applications will close on 29 February at 23:59pm, and the successful candidate will be notified of their new role by 15 March.
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Canadian rock legends Nickelback announce Leeds gig on huge world arena tour
Clementine Hall
Nickelback announce world arena tour in support of their new album - and they're coming to Leeds.
The Canadian rockers will be bringing their biggest hits as well brand-new music to arenas around the world.
Formed in Hanna, Alberta, the band made up of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair, have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide.
Best known for rock anthems including Rockstar, Photograph and How You Remind Me, Nickelback have built up a huge global following over the course of their career.
The upcoming tour will see the band celebrate their new album, Everything Under The Sun, and they'll be kicking off the UK leg of the tour right here in Leeds at the First Direct Bank Arena.
The tour follows their record-setting Get Rollin' world tour, and will once again take them to venues across North America, Europe, and Australia.
The group have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide, and achieved billions of streams across digital platforms.
Their new album will be released at the end of the month on Friday 30 October, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know their new tracks before they come to Leeds on Saturday 22 May 2027.
They'll be supported on the tour by Don Broco, an English four-piece featuring Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Tom Doyle and Matt Donnelly. Known for their genre-defying sound and dynamic approach to modern rock.
Nickelback 2027 UK Tour Dates in full
22 May - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
24 May - London The O2
28 May - Birmingham Utility Arena
1 June - Glasgow Ovo Hydro
2 June - Manchester Co-op Live
Tickets for Nickelback at the Leeds First Direct Arena go on sale next Friday 16 October and you can get yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2024 
