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.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2024 
