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
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Sophie Smith -
22nd December 2021 
