Staying within your budget in Leeds is easy if you know where to look…

We all like to save a few pennies, especially in Yorkshire – and it’s only too easy to believe that means sticking to the high street. But actually, you can find a bargain or two in the city’s independent stores. From vintage pieces to home furnishings, we’ve got seven great Leeds stores where you can stay well within budget.

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses, 30 Merrion Centre, LS2 8NG.

Spice Corner

Spice Corner

Spice Corner, 21 Row E, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7LG.

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor, 10 Central Road, LS1 6DE.

Yoyo

Yoyo

Yoyo, 76 Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, LS1 5AT.
Leeds List

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

Inside Out

Inside Out

Inside Out, 17B St. John’s Centre, LS2 8LQ.

Summerhouse

SummerHouse

Summerhouse, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

The post 7 Stores for Budget Shoppers appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Mark Dhamma helps you get a Warrior Mind with his health tips

Former Leeds University student, City Dweller columnist and cover model, Mark Dhamma has launched a new collection of fitness videos, entitled ‘Holistic Warriors’.

The videos include health tips, advice on how to get a positive mind and more!

Mark now lives in LA and is a professional fitness advisor.

In his own words, he is an ‘optimal health and positive psychology expert’ and he can coach you to get the body you want and the mental strength you need to succeed.

Over the next few weeks, we will posting hints and fitness tips from Mark’s Holistic Warriors video blogs.

If you can’t wait for more, you can check out his Youtube channel or like his Facebook page.

One of Mark’s video blogs can be seen below:

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Building a fitness schedule can be difficult and sticking to it can be even harder. Reebok Master Trainer Stacey Jacques provides some valuable tips to achieving a structured routine.

Reebok fithub – Fitness Schedule

• Get real. Be realistic before you start. Determine your situation. How many days a week are you ready to commit to? How much time have you got? Don’t forget to include things like preparation time, shower time and battling rush hour traffic to get to the gym.
• Knowledge is Power. Get clued up about what to do, take advice from a fitness professional on what type of workout would suit you best. Then you can plan your sessions.If you are looking for an overall workout to start off with, I would suggest starting with a bodyweight routine ensuring you work your upper body, lower body and core with a mix of cardio and conditioning exercises. Start with intervals of 30 seconds work to rest ratio. Try and work in a range of different movements and directions and include a push, pull, lunge, bend, twist and squat. Make sure your workout changes and progresses every 4-6 weeks and track your progress so you can stay motivated by how well you are doing.
• Add variety and be creative. Don’t get stuck in a fitness rut, add different classes, styles and environments to your routine.
• Be time efficient. Get in, get it done and get outta there.
• Own it! Commit to your designated workout slot and stick to it like you would to any other appointment.
• Journal. Write it ALL down, not only is this great to track your progress but it also ensures that you are accountable for everything you do and plan to do! Include thoughts and feelings so you can see patterns emerging when you are feeling a little deflated / de-motivated.
• R E S T – it’s part of the programme. Your body needs to recover in order to progress, make sure you incorporate rest days into your schedule.
• Love what you do. Find your thing, ignite your passion. This could be anything from training for a Spartan race to practising Yoga on a beach. Make exercise something you love, not something you loathe, and you will have no problem finding time to fit it into your life.
• Reward yourself. If you stick to your schedule, treat yourself to a pampering session or that pair of trainers you’ve been eyeing up.
• Don’t fear failure. You will have blips, ups and downs along your fitness journey. If you fall down just get back up as soon as possible.
• Find your tribe: likeminded people. Working out in a group is a great motivator.
• Be inspired. Find a mentor that motivates you.
• Be the inspiration. There is no greater motivation than knowing you are inspiring someone to be better.

‘Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.’ – Jim Rohn

I hope these tips help you with your ambition to leading a fitter, fuller lifestyle and bring you the knowledge and confidence to begin your journey to achieving your goals. For more information about the Reebok FitHub and free fitness classes, visit: http://fitness.reebok.co.uk/FitnessEvents/Events-landing/

The post How to Build a Fitness Schedule and Stick to It appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Looking for designer shops in Leeds? Then you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve rounded up the best places to pick up those highly coveted labels.

If you’re looking to splash out, the designer stores of Leeds will only be too happy to oblige. So head into the city centre, where you’ll find everything from fashion to accessories, jewellery and homeware – or venture a little further afield to benefit from the slashed prices of the designer outlet.

The Victoria Quarter

As well as being one of the city’s finest landmarks with its beautiful Victorian shopfronts and colourful stained glass roof, which is the work of Brian Clarke and holds the record as the biggest of its kind in the UK, The Victoria Quarter boasts some of Leeds’ best designer stores.

Inside, you can browse the wares of some of the world’s finest designers, with Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton among them. But it’s not just fashion, you’ll find expert jewellers, high end homeware and luxury opticians too.

The Victoria Quarter, 4 Cross Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AZ.

Harvey Nichols

If you like all your designer labels, all in one place, you need only seek out Harvey Nichols’ Leeds store. You’ll find it on Briggate, the city’s busiest shopping street, and it’s absolutely filled with big names.

The Leeds shop is big, with five floors of designer goodness for you to explore. The ground floor holds accessories and beauty, while upstairs on the first and second floors, you’ll find yourself surrounded by high end ladies fashion from the likes of Victoria by Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth & James, Nicole Farhi and Gucci. Go up again to browse men’s labels from big names like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Hugo Boss. Finally, the top floor promises luxurious eats with their restaurant and food store.

Harvey Nichols, 107-111 Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AZ.

Flannels

Nestled on Vicar Lane, Flannels is in an up and coming area of Leeds, with the new Victoria Gate development rising behind it. And the two will be well matched, both offering a plethora of designers, all under one roof.

You’re looking at some really big names here. There’s Moschino, Kenzo, Alexander McQueen, Versace and Armani for the lads, and Cavalli, Max & Moi, Michael Kors and Gestuz for the ladies. With Michelin Starred restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain upstairs, ready for a post-shopping bite, you can have the ultimate luxury shopping experience.

Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7JH.

York Designer Outlet

Although you won’t find a designer outlet in Leeds, you can still get your hands on a host of cut-priced labels if you’re willing to take a jaunt over to York. Here you’ll find McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet, which boasts a massive array of designer labels, with the likes of Ted Baker, Lacoste, Levi’s and Michael Kors all in on the action.

And of course, the beauty of York Designer Outlet is that it’s all on sale for a fraction of the usual price. So even if you have to pay for petrol or train tickets, you’ll likely save more than you spend.

York Designer Outlet, St. Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 4TA.

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Leeds City Dweller Magazine columnist Zach checks in to The New Conservatory for a relaxing evening out. He indulges in fine food and great music in one of Leeds’ best hidden gems.

The Leeds bar and restaurant scene is always changing. However, The New Conservatory on Albion Place has been a constant in Leeds for a long time. Over the last few years their bar and restaurant has under gone a lot of changes and I couldn’t wait to find out what was in store.

My plus one for the evening was my mother Lorraine and we couldn’t have picked a better evening to sample the menu, drinks and live entertainment that The New Conservatory had to offer.

It was a Thursday night and after spending the day at a product launch at Trinity Leeds, we made the short walk towards the old stone stairs of The New Conservatory. The location is easily recognisable, with a lovely outside dining area and street level entrance combining with old stone arches and tall pillars to guide you downstairs towards the bar and restaurant.

Upon entry, I instantly felt the history of the venue come alive. With an old school wooden bar, a library area and some quirky decorative gems, such as pictures of what Leeds looked like yesteryear, the decor set a great precedent for my evening.

After being seated in the raised library dining area, which has a perfect view of the whole bar, we started to inspect the menu. With a superb range of food and affordable drinks, it’s no surprise that The New Conservatory is thriving in Leeds.

As soon as we’d decided what to eat, our order was swiftly taken. I chose the BBQ Spare Ribs to start with and then the Chicken Pie to follow up with, while my mum went for the Fried Brie followed by a Caesar Salad.

Most of the dishes on the menu are the classics that have been updated with a modern twist and then cooked to perfection. There is something for everyone on the menu and the varied range of food is a credit to the chef. It’s safe to say, we well and truly polished off our food.

After our food, we started to hear the sounds of guitars being adjusted from the stage area. We’d picked a great night to come; Thursday is The New Conservatory’s open mic night. As a music lover, and a keen musician myself, I couldn’t wait to hear some live music.

After the closure of many live music spots in Leeds, The New Conservatory is keeping the fire burning as it provides a platform for new artists and gives the customers some top quality entertainment at the same time!

We decided to have another class of fizz and soak up the music before saying our goodbyes and heading home, putting an end to a fantastic evening.

The New Conservatory has something about it that no other eatery, bar or venue has in Leeds. The bar is a one of a kind, combining an old fashioned feel with modern menus, service and entertainment.

If it’s after work drinks, a family meal or a night out your looking for, The New Conservatory caters for everyone. All ages would feel at home here and with screens for sport, a pool table, spacious bar area, great dining and live music each week. It is a credit to Leeds and I will be back very soon for sure.

See you about town!
Zach

The post The New Conservatory Review appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Totally British in Style, Tweed, Manufacture and Attitude

– Get your legs out (even in opaque’s) –

Maude & Fox introduces two fabulous quintessentially British skirts; The Stripe Tweed Skirt and The Moonbeam Wrap Skirt. Perfect dressed down with wellies for Sunday afternoon walks in the countryside or teamed with opaques and block heel ankle boots for a spot of shopping in the city. Eye-catching skirts made from luxurious fabrics, hand-cut and made exclusively by one of the Maude & Fox team in rural Dorset.

The Stripe Tweed Skirt £145

Skirts – Stripe

This latest tweed skirt from Maude & Fox doesn’t fail to disappoint. Made of Scottish tweed with a quirky but smart stripe, this attention-grabbing skirt ticks all the boxes this winter. Easy to wear and cut down a little at the back to avoid revealing too much! Fabulous on its own or a real style statement partnered with the Fur Fly Maude & Fox red lined tweed jacket.

View the Stripe at http://www.maudeandfox.com/the-stripe-skirt.aspx

The Moonbeam Wrap Skirt £180

Moonbeam skirt

Another new addition to the Maude & Fox skirt collection this winter is the striking Moonbeam Wrap Skirt. Made of fabulously soft angora and lambswool, this skirt feels and looks sensational! Designed to fall above the knee, but not too short – the skirt looks beautiful worn with a crisp white shirt or is perfect with the Maude & Fox Cherilyn Moleskin and tweed Jacket or The Crusader Cape for a show stopping outfit

View the Moonbeam at http://www.maudeandfox.com/the-moonbeam-wrap-skirt.aspx

Sue Longmore, founder and head of creative comments: “The addition of the Moonbeam Wrap Skirt and the Stripe Tweed Skirt to our collection has proved very popular with our customers this season. The skirts are a real statement piece and they look wonderful dressed up or down; ideal for the countryside or the city. Must-have items this winter season and a perfect Christmas gift for someone special”

Maude & Fox sets itself apart from the crowd by being completely British in tweed, design and attitude.

Using British tweed all designs are hand-cut and made by the Maude & Fox team here in rural Dorset. With customers all over the country returning to Maude & Fox for new designs and custom amendments the brand is taking the fashion world by storm.

The post Step Out In Style – With Maude & Fox appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Jones Bar Group are Thriving in Leeds!

Back in 2004, the Jones Bar Group opened Bar 166. A lovely bar in Horsforth, Leeds that serves a superb range of food and drink and serves all types of people. Whether it’s students looking for a quick drink before their big night out, or a family after a Sunday Roast, you’ll find them at Bar 166.

11 years later, with a range of quirky bars and restaurants that appeal to a variety of people, Jones Bar Group have started to leave their unmistakable mark on the city of Leeds.

Their website states “we went into business in December 2004 with a goal to design, build and operate bars and restaurants that we would frequent in the hope that others would enjoy our taste and offering” and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

The Leeds City Magazine team have picked out some of our favourite bars of theirs for you to check out:

Bar 166
Horsforth

Where it all started; the bar has been open for over ten years and it’s still providing the residents of Horsforth with superb food and a fantastic drinks menu! Their British food also features a great mix of timeless classics and unique dishes that all use the best local Yorkshire produce.

So if you’re after a few cheeky after work drinks, or a great lunch at an affordable price then Bar 166 is a must-visit.

Roxy Ball Room
Leeds City Centre

Ping Pong! Beer Pong! Mini Golf! Exactly the sort of thing you’d expect from a traditional bar in Leeds City Centre, right?

Obviously, Roxy Ball Room is not your traditional bar. It’s leading the way for alternate nights out in Leeds, providing you with fantastic drinks and top entertainment at the same time. So what are you waiting for? Get planning your next night out at Roxy Ball Room now!

Roxy Lanes
Leeds City Centre

Like its sister, Roxy Ball Room did with ping-pong, it’s brought bowling to adults and more importantly, to nights out. Situated in the centre of Leeds, above Tesco on Bond Street, Roxy Lanes is a unique blend of bowling, beers and food; it’s a different atmosphere to every other bar in Leeds.

The whole place has a youthful, stylish American feel and upon first glance, you will understand why. And with cracking food, a great range of affordable drinks and bowling, it’s a great night out in Leeds!

Check out a review of Roxy Lanes here.

Slate NQ
Leeds City Centre

The Leeds bar and restaurant scene is constantly evolving and Slate NQ is one of the latest additions to the exciting line-up. Meat platters, pool tables, cocktails and a choice of three outside terraced areas, it’s a top place to go!

Their speciality? Pool. With pristine pool tables filling the venue, it’s another fantastic night out in Leeds.

Read our review of Slate NQ here.

Brooklyn Bar
Leeds City Centre

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently then you will know that Leeds has seriously upped its burger game. Almost Famous, MeatLiquor, Boss Burger and Aire Bar to name a few. With all this competition it can be hard to stand out from the crowd but we’re confident Brooklyn Bar won’t be struggling. A lot has been said about Brooklyn Bar and there’s good reason for that. Brooklyn Bar really does rise up to the local competition.

You can check out our review here.

______________________________________

You can see more information on these bars, and their other bars, at their website here: www.jonesbargroup.com

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We’re getting quite a collection of talented and driven people for our ‘Leeds Own’ editorial, and this month there is no exception… Rachel chats to 20 year old singer/song writer Ben Lancaster, to talk inspirations, aspirations, and of course his thoughts on our wonderful city.

This month’s Leeds Own subject, 20 year old singer/song writer Ben Lancaster, was spotted by the City Dweller crew whilst partying at the Masquerade for Macmillan Ball, held at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds. His acoustic set of quirky covers and original songs had everyone up dancing, and here at the magazine we could tell it would only be a matter of time until word gets around of Ben’s talents. Wanting to find out more about the guy with the guitar I met up with Ben to talk inspirations, aspirations, and of course his thoughts on our wonderful city.

What initially got you into music?

My parents noticed at a young age that I could sing so they encouraged it from then, I used to do singing competitions and things like that on holidays. I began playing the piano at 9 and then when teachers at my high school (Morley High School) discovered I could play they nurtured my interest in music. When I was 15 all my friends played the guitar and I felt left out so I began learning that too.

What did you study at school?

In 6th form I did Performance Studies, Music A Level, History and Law. I am really into Musical Theatre, as well as singing, which was covered well by the dance and drama on the Performance Studies course. I am now in my final year at Renaissance Arts which is a dance and musical theatre college based at the Yorkshire Dance Centre and Northern Ballet in Leeds, I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to attend, it is great studying there because I can work on both my passions of singing/ song writing and musical theatre.

How did you get into gigging?

I began singing in a band when I was 15, then I did my first solo gig at 18. I started off doing parties and weddings and then went onto bars. Around Leeds I’ve played at places such as The Wardrobe, The Bierkeller, and Around the World in 80 Beers.

What sort of music do you play at your gigs?

At gigs I tend to mainly play covers and judge what to play from the crowd. I like to do a mix of current songs that are in the top 40, and an Ed Sheeran track always goes down well. I also like to do abstract covers that you wouldn’t expect to be played acoustically such as Britney Spears ‘Hit Me Baby’, also depending on the situation I like to throw in an original track of my own when I can.

Where do you get your inspiration for your music?

I am inspired by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Lewis Watson, I especially appreciate Ed’s earlier stuff before he became massive, you can see so much progression in his music, I feel I can relate to where he began from. I also have a bit of a Grime guilty pleasure with the likes of Skepta. My music taste is pretty varied, if you had a look on my ITunes you’d see its very mixed.

What are your plans for the future?

As I am in my final year at Renaissance it is time to start auditioning for up and coming roles in musical theatre productions. I am in the studio in October with Jiimi Naylor from The Pigeon Detectives to record my own tracks. I also work with The Music Study which support young artists so they are helping me with my future prospects. I will continue to do my gigging and I want to keep both my singing/song writing and musical theatre interests going, I enjoy them equally so have no preference to go for one over the other.

What are your thoughts on Leeds as a city?

I love Leeds so much and feel grateful to have grown up here. It is always expanding, there is a new place opening every week and there’s so much to do, I look at it as the capital of the North.

Where do you tend to go out around Leeds?

As a student there’s something on every night, I go to Tiger Tiger on Tuesdays a lot and most nights usually end up in Prsym, bar wise I also really like Smokestack, Fibre and The Wardrobe.

If you’re keen to find out more about Ben, or want to check out his music, head to his social media profiles:
Soundcloud: Ben Lancaster
Instagram: @Benyouareadiamond
Twitter: @3enLancaster

There is no doubt that he’s one to watch!

The post Leeds Own: Ben Lancaster appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Great Britain Athlete and British Record Holder John Lane is back again this month to give you fitness tips to help you get the best out of your health and fitness.

Enjoy this month’s tips!

Pack Your Own Lunch

Packing your lunch each day is a great way of keeping a handle on what you eat. Studies have shown that people who pack their lunch are more likely to lose weight quicker than those who don’t. As well as being a healthier option, this will also be lighter on your back pocket!

Core Strength

The weaker your core muscles are, the more likely you are to pick up an injury. Whether it’s managing a stiff back, neck pain or a torn muscle, your core is also great for your posture and overall fitness levels. Exercises such as yoga and pilates are a great and effective way of achieving a stronger core.

Yoga

Yoga is a great way of getting your heart rate up and burning calories. As well as losing weight, yoga is great for flexibility, developing muscle strength, increasing your blood flow and it also helps promote proper posture. Try and do a yoga session once a week to help your body relax and de-stress.

Stick to Water

Nearly every bottled drink you buy these days have a lot of sugar in it. Soft drinks and energy drinks are the worst culprit and can have up to 50g of sugar per bottle. With cutting down on sugar being one of the best ways to lose weight, sticking to water is a great and easy way of staying ahead of the game!

Super Foods

Super foods have gained massive popularity recently due to promising greater nutritional value. Foods such as berries, green tea, ginger, broccoli and oily fish are set to have greater nutritional benefits than other foods. These foods have also been found to help aid digestion, lower cholesterol, regulate metabolism and help fight heart disease.

The post John Lane’s Fitness Tips appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

It’s one of Leeds’ most noticeable landmarks and for over 150 years, Leeds Corn Exchange has been at the heart of commerce in the city – we follow its journey, from then to now.

Cuthbert Brodrick is a name synonymous with Leeds and its iconic architecture – but little of his work is as recognisable as Leeds Corn Exchange, which has been the centre point of the city since 1862. A symbol of Leeds’ longstanding economic prowess, it continues to this day, and hopefully into the future, as a vital part of the community.

Before It Was What It Is Today

The Corn Exchange we all know and love was not the first. That honour goes to an 1827 building at the top and middle of Briggate, but after just over 30 years, the traders of Leeds had outgrown their home.

The Modern Corn Exchange

To accommodate for the increase in trade in Leeds, as well as competition from elsewhere, Leeds looked to Edinburgh’s famous example for their next move. The responsibility for achieving that was down to famous architect Cuthbert Brodrick, whose catalogue of gems in the city was becoming more and more impressive.

A Catalyst For Growth

With its eye-catching domed roof, intricate architecture and imposing circular design, Brodrick’s Corn Exchange helped to kickstart Leeds’ growth through Victorian-era England on the back of a bustling agriculture trade.

A Centre of Commerce and Community

As the 20th century moved on, Leeds Corn Exchange was used for trade up to six times a week, while also becoming a focal point of the community, a war memorial and even putting on animal shows – nothing like a bit of versatility eh?

Falling Into Disrepair

The good times only lasted so long however, and by 1969 it was only being used by corn traders one day a week. The threat of demolition was there, but thankfully passed and while plans were initially approved for it to be turned into a concert hall, the building continued its steep decline, becoming empty by the mid-eighties.

A New Start in the 90s

Thankfully, the Corn Exchange was taken over in 1985 by Specialist Shops who transformed it ready for the 1990s. It was a big success, featuring a host of cool and kooky independent stores that were sorely missed when it struggled for support after a takeover in 2007.

Home to History

As if the building wasn’t historic enough, they managed to throw a bit more in there after its nineties renovation. For eight years from 1991, a pretty impressive model of a 1903 Wright Flyer was hung from the famous domed roof.

An Independent Haven

Despite riding a rough storm in the first decade of 21st century, Leeds Corn Exchange is now once again home to a creative array of independents that are helping to put Leeds on the retail map. From vintage threads to unique jewellery and record fairs, it’s proven that it can continue to be a vital part of Leeds’ retail offering.

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