Lifelong Leeds resident talks about her favourite parts of living and working in Leeds City Centre

Lifelong Leeds resident Joanne Cutt, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Leeds City Centre Armouries, talks about her favourite parts of living and working in Leeds City Centre:

Living and working here may make me biased but I really do believe Leeds is one of the UK’s best cities for a long weekend break.

Think about what makes a good city break; you’re looking for plenty of shopping opportunities, great places to eat, a busy nightlife and a good choice of hotels to rest your weary head after a long day! Leeds has all this and what’s great is that it’s all in a compact area which makes getting around easy.

SHOPS

For some retail therapy it’s the independent stores and vintage fairs that make Leeds a great destination, offering you the opportunity to buy things that can’t be found in any other shop or city.

Shopping lovers will easily find something to suit their budgets and tastes from the traditional Kirkgate Market, where Marks and Spencer began to The Victoria Quarter, home of Harvey Nichols and all the designer shops including Louis Vuitton and Karen Millen. Whether you’re on the hunt for a bargain or are treating yourself to something special, it’s hard to leave empty handed!

FOOD

You’re never far from a fantastic cafe or pub in Leeds, great for a break from the shopping and sightseeing. To get the genuine Yorkshire experience my picks would be the traditional Yorkshire cream tea at the Tiled Hall Cafe (next to Leeds Art Gallery) or a refreshing Yorkshire ale in The Midnight Bell, a traditional Leeds Brewery pub only a few minutes walk from the city centre. I like The Cross Keys, the award winning gastro pub with their real log fire; it’s perfect for cosy meals in the winter months. Anthony’s Patisserie, owned by famous chef Anthony Flinn is a lovely informal cafe that’s perfect for light lunches and afternoon treats for a mid-shopping break. However, if you fancy a spot of celebrity, the newly opened Leeds Kitchen by James Martin is the ideal dinner venue.

PUBS / CLUBS

There is no doubt Leeds is a city that likes to party! I think the growth in hen and stag dos coming to Leeds in recent years is down to the sheer variety and quality of nightlife on offer, from old fashioned drinking dens to hip bars and late-night clubs, you don’t have to walk far to find something that suits your taste. Head to the bars on Call Lane for a great party atmosphere, Oporto (recently named Best Night Out in the UK) is popular with avid musicians, students and visitors alike. Many well-known brands can also be found in Leeds including Tiger Tiger and Oceana which all offer fantastic deals with happy hours and comedy nights. Sophisticated types should make their way to Oracle, a stylish bar with an outdoor Moet terrace overlooking the river. Dancing till dawn should always be attempted when you’ve got great clubs like Mission and Space.

HOTELS

Leeds has a great range of accommodation, over 90 hotels, B&Bs, serviced apartments, self-catering cottages and even some campsites! My hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Leeds City Centre Armouries, is situated in Clarence Dock, home to Saviles Hall Exhibition Centre, Royal Armouries Museum and Alea Casino. We’re a great option for groups or couples that want a contemporary, friendly hotel at a reasonable rate. Every room has a comfortable bed, a modern en-suite with refreshing power shower and a free hot breakfast as standard. We’ve got some great offers and packages for city breaks and booking in advance always saves you at least 10%. Visit our website www.hiexleeds.co.uk to book.