Leeds' historic Kirkgate markets have launched into the future with a new sustainable delivery service.
You just know that if you're in Leeds and you need something- whether it's a hair grip or a lobster, you'll find it in the Kirkgate Market. But now, thanks to a new online delivery service, you don't even need to pop in to pick up your essentials.
Kirkgate Market has partnered with the online shopping platform Good Sixty, so that LS1-9, 13,16,17, and 28 postcodes can now shop online and have their market goodies delivered right to their doorstep.
Essentially, it's the same as ordering from any other website: you place an order with Good Sixty, then the market traders organise their individual packages before passing them on for delivery.
Buyers will receive local next-day delivery every Wednesday - Friday and, best of all, all orders only pay a single delivery fee despite shopping with multiple traders.
For many, this is a chance to bring their stalls to a wider market - and reach more customers ahead of the crucial Christmas shopping period.
Panda Refills, a store participating in the Good Sixty delivery service told The Hoot that it was an "exciting opportunity" for the small business that still allows the store to stick to its sustainable values.
As a zero-waste store, Panda Refills will be using leftover packaging to parcel up their orders.
Other foodie favourites at Kirkgate are also getting involved.
Neil’s Greengrocers, Malcolm Michaels Butchers, Whitaker’s Farmhouse Eggs & Cheese, Ramsden’s Fishmongers, Firth & Payne and Bluebird Bakery as well as Brown’s Sweets and Adam & Eco are all available on the Good Sixty shopping platform.
The markets have been a favourite retail past time for Leeds since the 1800s. / Image: Chemical Engineer
Councillor Kayleigh Brooks, Leeds City Council deputy executive member with responsibility for markets, said:
“We are excited to be partnering with Good Sixty to offer a delivery service for customers direct from our fantastic traders here at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
During the pandemic, shopping habits have changed with a huge increase in online shopping. Teaming up with Good Sixty brings Leeds Kirkgate Market traders’ top quality food straight to customers’ doorsteps, and supports our traders in having access to a wider customer base.
We look forward to the start of something great which will make it easier than ever before to shop local and support independent Leeds businesses.”
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Sophie Smith -
16th November 2021 
