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
‘Ugly, run-down’ and ‘untidy’ – Leeds named UK’s tenth best big city
Britain's 20 biggest cities have been ranked, and Leeds has done pretty well.
Although, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by the overwhelmingly lacklustre description we've been given.
The listing comes from The Telegraph and ranks Britain's 20 biggest cities from worst to best, taking into account visitor appeal and where offers most to tourists.
Leeds comes in at a very respectable number 10, however judging from what they've said about our city you'd think we were much, much lower.
Kicking things off, the description reads: "There’s an untidy quality to Leeds, borne of a patchwork of periods in its built environment and the fact that a lot of regeneration is underway (cranes rise at every corner)."
Image: Unsplash
Yep, not off to a good start but it's only down hill from there as Leeds is then said to have a 'certain shapelessness'.
But perhaps the worst part is yet to come: "There are some ugly, run-down streets very close to the centre, and while the Headrow and other high streets have a fair number of shops, there’s no real boulevard or grand square.
"The most atmospheric spaces are Queens Arcade and perpendicular Cross Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade; Grand Arcade is also Victorian but looks and feels less uplifting."
By the end it starts to get slightly more positive, emphases on 'slightly': "Leeds’ strongest points might be its small size and its north-central location; it’s easy to walk everywhere inside the city, and a short ride away are Ilkley, Skipton and the Dales."
Our visitor appeal gained a 6.5/10, beating Cardiff, Sheffield, Brighton and Nottingham.
Taking the top spot was Liverpool followed by Edinburgh, Belfast and Glasgow. Read the full ranking here.
An award-winning Sardinian restaurant made famous in Sheffield is now opening in Leeds
Clementine Hall
This family-run restaurant has chosen Leeds as their second location, and we're very glad they have.
Introducing Domo, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
They've been teasing a second site for some time now but finally the cat is firmly out of the bag as they've announced they'll be bringing Domo to Leeds.
But where might you ask? Well, none other than the scenic location of the Lockside overlooking the canal.
Slotting right in next to BAKE, they're going to be in very good company indeed.
Image: The Sheff
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Domo said: "So most of you guessed it right...it’s been a long time coming but Domo 2.0 is finally cooking.
"Here’s a little sneak peek at our week which we’ve mostly spent admiring the views and getting to know the new neighbours …. If you can guess where it is there’s a glass of bubbly on us next time we see you. To be continued ………"
That's all the information we have so far, but we'll keep you in the loop as and when we find out more.
We can't wait to have you here in Leeds Domo, but for now we'll pop round to Sheffield to get our Domo fix and we highly suggest you do too.
Sophie Smith -
22nd December 2021 
