Change your day job for one day only and explore the best of Leeds shopping scene.
If you've ever thought that you'd make a great personal shopper- but would want to keep all your purchases for yourself, we've got the job for you.
An exciting position has opened up for three lucky people in January 2022, who will trade in their day jobs to become a 'gift card spender', and go shopping for free- all courtesy of Open gift card.
The company support small businesses across Yorkshire and offer a single gift card that can be spent at just about any independent store 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 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 Hyde Park Book Club amongst other places. / Image: Hyde Park Cook Club
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, then like, comment and share- but 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 retailers that are included:
Loti Yoga
Chirpy, Chapel Allerton
Wild Free Yoga, Horsforth
Ivy & Arlo
Kiren's Hair and Beauty
Coldbath, Chapel Allerton
Butlers Barbering
Very Stylish Girl, Horsforth
Haus of XS, Chapel Allerton
Sarah Louise
Earth Warriors
Beat Street Studio
Firefly Pottery, Horsforth
The Dance Studio
Maid To Fit, Horsforth
Swanky Pants, Horsforth
Novy Health and Beauty
The Perfumed Garden
The Bikes College
Seasgulls Reuse
Firefly pottery in Horsforth accept the vouchers. / Image: Firefly Pottery
Alternatively, you can choose to use your card for food and drink at an endless supply of cafes, bars and restaurants in the city centre and neighbouring suburbs, including:
North Star Coffee House, All Good in the Hood, Once Upon a Vine in Horsforth, Dapur Malaysia in Chapel Allerton, So! Bar and Eats in Knaresborough, the Little Yellow Rice Co. and many more.
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
Leeds
End of an era as historic Leeds pub announces shock closure with ‘heavy heart’
One of Leeds' longest-running pub will be closing.
The Cross Keys in Holbeck is a lovely little boozer.
And it's got a fair bit of history too. Dating back to the early 1800s, the pub has stood on Water Lane for more than two centuries, with its story closely tied to Holbeck's industrial past.
Back when the area was one of Leeds' major manufacturing hubs, the Cross Keys was a local drinking spot for workers from the surrounding foundries and engineering works.
The pub itself fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1980s, before being brought back to life during a major restoration in the 2000s.
But now, The Cross Keys is closing once again.
Images: The Cross Keys
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, the pub said: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the Cross Key's will be closing its doors on the 3rd of October.
"The whole team thank you for your support during our time in business."
In classic Leeds fashion, the comments were flooded with support from fans of the pub alongside fellow local businesses.
One comment reads: "Absolutely gutted about this. I held my fiance (now husband’s) 30th at The Cross Keys and it was excellent and the team were so helpful and hospitable. So sad to hear this."
Whilst another said: "Gutted, the home of some great memories and significant pints in my life."
So, if you've had a significant pint in The Cross Keys and wish to bid it a proper farewell, you've got until Saturday 3 October to do so.
Brand-new ‘party pub’ to take over the old Revolution site on Call Lane after £600,000 investment
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready to party Leeds, because a 'party pub' experience is coming to Call Lane.
Following a whopping £600,000 investment, Bonnie Rogues is preparing to open in the former Revolution site in Leeds city centre that will close this month.
After a major refurbishment, Leeds’ first Bonnie Rogues venue and the sixth site for the fast- growing UK brand will open in November 2026.
Designed as an all-day-to-night social destination, Bonnie Rogues combines live music, live sport, and late-night celebrations in one immersive venue.
From big nights out to spontaneous after-work drinks and even Sunday Roasts, Bonnie Rogues aims to offer something completely different from the traditional pub experience.
Expect live performances, crowd-involved entertainment and interactive moments in an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from day to night.
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said, “Leeds has such a strong social scene and a real appetite for experience-led venues, so we think Bonnie Rogues will fit perfectly into the city.
"It’s a concept that brings together everything people love about going out - live music, sport, food, entertainment and great atmosphere, all in one place. We’re excited to bring something new to Leeds and can’t wait to welcome guests later this year.”
The Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Bonnie Rogues venues across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites earlier this year.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more.
Sophie Smith -
22nd December 2021 
