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We are an independent place maker helping to create distinctive destinations delivered through our three service pillars of place strategy, creation and promotion. We seamlessly connect everyone in cities and towns to discover and find their local favourites. Whether you’re a customer or a business our job is to help you get the most out of here. We look forward to helping you find what you’re looking for!

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The Ultimate Independent Gift Guide

There's truly something for everyone in our gift guide this year, brought to you by the independents of Leeds and beyond.

Latest Articles

Explore Your Local Town – Lindley

On this specific journey onto one of our Grand Days Out, we’re venturing over to Huddersfield and into the small suburb of Lindley.

Everything happening in Leeds this Christmas

All across Leeds and Yorkshire are plenty of festive events and markets to help you truly get into the Christmas spirit. Here are a few of them happening over the next few weeks.

Shop Small in Leeds this Christmas: Our Independent Gift Guide

Ahead of the Christmas season we’ve put together a gift guide, brought to you by the independents of Leeds and beyond. We hope you can tick some people off your gift list with these ideas because there truly is something for everyone.

A Guide around the Independents of Meanwood

Just outside of the city centre of Leeds lies Meanwood, a little bustling suburb that is finally bouncing back after what has felt like a long and tiring 18 months. Pre-covid, the town was finally being brought to life and was recognised by people from near and far as the newest up-and-coming suburb, the u....

Explore your Local Town – Hebden Bridge

On this specific journey onto one of our Grand Days Out, we’re venturing over to Calder Valley and into the town of Hebden Bridge.

Explore Your Local Town – Saltaire

On this specific journey onto one of our Grand Days Out, we’re venturing over to Bradford and into the village of Saltaire.

Explore your Local Town – Holmfirth

On this specific journey onto one of our Grand Days Out, we’re venturing over to Kirklees and into the town of Holmfirth. Connecting cities together is what First Buses are for, and the perfect solution for those of you wanting to explore a new area.

Best Things to Do in Headingley

Up away from Leeds’ bustling centre, beyond the pearlescent walls of the Parkinson Building and grasses of Hyde Park, nestles the quaint streets of Headingley. Renowned as Otley Run territory, and an epicentre of sport both locally and regionally, this suburb is often perceived to be one of the city’s most....

Adventure Along the Line – Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley

Beginning in the City of Bradford and onto the incredible town of Ilkley, the independent business scene and amazing places of interest can become your new places of adventure.

The Fairer and More Flexible Way to Rent in Leeds

Mustard Wharf has changed the renting scene in the Southbank area making it fairer and more flexible – it’s a happy and easy way to rent in everyone’s favourite city.

Explore Your Local Town – Lindley

On this specific journey onto one of our Grand Days Out, we’re venturing over to Huddersfield and into the small suburb of Lindley.

Everything happening in Leeds this Christmas

All across Leeds and Yorkshire are plenty of festive events and markets to help you truly get into the Christmas spirit. Here are a few of them happening over the next few weeks.

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Eat Your Greens

European style bar & restaurant in the heart of Kirkgate’s independent quarter of Leeds City Centre. The restaurant offers a weekly changing menu of no fuss, farm to fork organic goodness in a relaxed, safe and friendly setting. The bar is fully stocked with a quality line up of local and European beers, natural wines and ciders and a seasonal range of house sodas and cocktails. You’ll find some of the best local DJs on rotation most evenings and even on Saturday afternoons.

42 New York Street, Leeds, LS2 7DY

0113 244 6896

The Little Black Book of Leeds | City to Suburbs

This unique insider guide to the city provides all the practical information that you’ll need to get around, whilst delving deeper to reveal the real Leeds seen through local eyes. We also head out of the city to explore the charms of the suburbs and uncover local independents along the way.

Price: £4.95 (to cover our postage and packaging costs)

Please allow 5-7 working days for your order to arrive.

Food & Drink

Meat the Makers! Some of Leeds’ Best Loved Butchers

Happy National Butchers Week!

Now in its 14th year, National Butchers Week is back with a bang… or bangers should we say. Once a staple of the British high street, over the years, butchers have become more of a rarer breed. But very fortunately not yet extinct, thanks to their resilience, and determ....

Get Into the Spirit of Things in Yorkshire’s Breweries and Distilleries

What’s more perfect than a summer of football, warm weather and lots and lots of drinking? Nothing. The hospitality industry has suffered the effects of Covid-19 more than other industries, with businesses closing down, staff being made redundant and month long restrictions on indoor and outdoor drinking. ....

Reviving the Drinking Scene of Morley

Historic market town Morley, situated in West Yorkshire, turned into a run-down high street over time. Even as covid made a hit on the retail and hospitality sector, Morley began to thrive and slowly became a social spot for all generations to enjoy.

Where to go near Leeds City Bus Station in the Evening

Pubs are open, bars are pouring drinks, restaurants are serving food, and we’re allowed to meet our friends. All things which we would’ve taken for granted in early 2020 are reasons to rejoice in 2021. And as we’ve lived without them for so long, their absence has only made our hearts grow fonder.

Best Places to Visit Around Leeds: Garforth

On the very outskirts of the West Yorkshire county line, Garforth is a town that is more than worth the short journey. Originally expanded in the seventeenth and eighteenth century thanks to the wealth of coal mines nearby, this suburban town still continues to grow and excite those that visit. It boasts a....

Best Independent and Sustainable Coffee Shops in Leeds

Leeds is full of lots of little independent hidden finds when were talking about coffee, so we thought we’d focus the spotlight on some coffee companies in Leeds with sustainability at the heart of their practice.

Meat the Makers! Some of Leeds’ Best Loved Butchers

Happy National Butchers Week!

Now in its 14th year, National Butchers Week is back with a bang… or bangers should we say. Once a staple of the British high street, over the years, butchers have become more of a rarer breed. But very fortunately not yet extinct, thanks to their resilience, and determ....

Get Into the Spirit of Things in Yorkshire’s Breweries and Distilleries

What’s more perfect than a summer of football, warm weather and lots and lots of drinking? Nothing. The hospitality industry has suffered the effects of Covid-19 more than other industries, with businesses closing down, staff being made redundant and month long restrictions on indoor and outdoor drinking. ....

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Entertainment & Culture

The Best of Leeds’ Culture

Leeds is a city built on cultural variety. It’s in our food, shops, music, style and even our patter. When you listen to our streets, the world talks back.

Discover Your Route – Otley to Leeds

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of Leeds’ bus routes which connects the north of the city to the centre. The number 33/34 First Bus route is ideal for exploring the town of Otley towards Leeds city centre, and here, we’ll be giving you a guided tour of some of our favourite hidden gems on the rou....

Grass Roots

As the city began to reopen unrestricted, Heather Nelson took us on a tour around the rejuvenation of Leeds’ grassroots culture.

Discover Your Route – Churwell to Roundhay

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of Leeds’ bus routes which connects the south of the city to the north. The number 12/13/13A First Bus route is ideal for exploring the lesser-known outskirts of Leeds city centre such as Churwell and Middleton, and here, we’ll be giving you a guided tour of some o....

Cosmic Slop: Party in Leeds

Cosmic Slop is one of Leeds’ most important and iconic nights of the last decade. Beginning as a fundraising party for local charity MAP, the event quickly became a cult dance favourite, its eclectic music, infamous sound system and artistic environment gaining wider recognition whilst retaining its origin....

Discover your Route – Seacroft to Horsforth

On this specific journey to the town of Horsforth, we begin in the outer-suburb of Seacroft. Connecting the neighbouring suburbs to the bustling city is what First Buses are for, and routes 50/50A is ideal for those of you wanting to explore and discover some hidden gems of your own. In this piece, we’ll b....

The Best of Leeds’ Culture

Leeds is a city built on cultural variety. It’s in our food, shops, music, style and even our patter. When you listen to our streets, the world talks back.

Discover Your Route – Otley to Leeds

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of Leeds’ bus routes which connects the north of the city to the centre. The number 33/34 First Bus route is ideal for exploring the town of Otley towards Leeds city centre, and here, we’ll be giving you a guided tour of some of our favourite hidden gems on the rou....

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Shopping & Lifestyle

Magnificent Markets around Leeds

Whether you’re new to the city or spend every week walking around the familiar streets of Leeds, it’s a known fact that you always end up strolling around the local market. And there’s no problem with that, markets are the soul of a town and bring together a community through a mutual love of food.

Shop Small in Leeds this Christmas: Our Independent Gift Guide

Ahead of the Christmas season we’ve put together a gift guide, brought to you by the independents of Leeds and beyond. We hope you can tick some people off your gift list with these ideas because there truly is something for everyone.

Adventure Along the Line – Bradford Forster Square to Shipley

Whether you’re planning a fun day out with the family or finding some new activities to fill some spare time, travelling along a train route can often introduce you to a world of new places and experiences. Beginning in the City of Bradford, which is often overlooked and unrecognised for its independent bu....

A Beginner’s Guide around Leeds Corn Exchange

The living landmark, Leeds Corn Exchange, has been an iconic building in the bustling city since it was first opened in 1864. The dramatic dome was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, a British architect who was known for not only planning and designing the Leeds Corn Exchange, but also Leeds Town Hall, The Mec....

Mustard Wharf: Don’t Settle for Ordinary Renting

City centre living is increasingly attractive in Leeds. New apartments blocks arose and old buildings were transformed to meet the demand for this social and convenient lifestyle, and now renters can choose between modern builds in the urban buzz or the nearby riversides on all sides of the city.

Adventure along the line – Guiseley to Ilkley

Whether you’re planning a fun day out with the family or finding some new activities to fill some spare time, travelling along a train route can often introduce you to a world of new places and experiences. Beginning in the town of Guiseley, which is often overlooked and unrecognised for its independent bu....

Magnificent Markets around Leeds

Whether you’re new to the city or spend every week walking around the familiar streets of Leeds, it’s a known fact that you always end up strolling around the local market. And there’s no problem with that, markets are the soul of a town and bring together a community through a mutual love of food.

Shop Small in Leeds this Christmas: Our Independent Gift Guide

Ahead of the Christmas season we’ve put together a gift guide, brought to you by the independents of Leeds and beyond. We hope you can tick some people off your gift list with these ideas because there truly is something for everyone.

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