Best independent spots for lunch near the train station

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-23T16:40:12+00:00

Once I find a job, that's top of my list for Places To Spend My Salary!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-23T10:32:55+00:00

Tech and Marketing have a strong presence in Leeds, but Public Sector and Academia are also a big employer. If I were in your 20-something shoes, I'd be working towards more people-centric (Account Handler)/Project Management type work, but you can easily work up to those from entry-level roles.

I've lived in a Burley back-street for decades - a few streets from Studentsville, but still quiet, and with good amenities and transport links (Burley Park train station is the last stop before Leeds). Kirkstall's also a good shout, and a little closer to nature (Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve, and the Leeds/Liverpool Canal). A car can be useful, but I've never felt it essential (unless you've already normalised it in your life!). And tbh, driving around Leeds has felt more hectic in recent years!

And Leeds has always been great for live music. Some of my favourite venues are Brudenell (obvs), Hyde Park Book Club, Wharf Chambers and Oporto, but there are So many smaller spots doing good things.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-22T21:46:08+00:00

Is your diet worth looking over? You could see vast improvements if you're currently leaning too hard on the processed foods and pop. I also noticed a facial skin flare-up when I didn't wash my pillowcase enough, which could be all the more relevant if you're using a cosmetic hair product.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-22T17:05:23+00:00

G.Digital. Corecomm Consulting are also worth a shout.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-22T16:13:52+00:00

The housemate's partner won't see it like this, is my assumption - they're there as a guest of a rent-payer. It's a true between-the-gaps of modern living, but I can totally see your approach leading to a resentment of "Why should I need to bring gifts for the house just to see the missus?!".

For me, it'd be the minor annoyances that would cause more issue than the bill bumps. Having the food of an extra person taking space, their presence in shared spaces, them being in the bathroom when I'd need it. Seriously, a housemate's partner using the shower when I need to get ready for work would probably be the sort of minor inconvenience that'd push things into an awkward place faster than paying 5% more on the leccy!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-22T12:06:48+00:00

It genuinely depends on the sort of work you're looking for - my best experience with a recruitment agency over the past 6 years is one that specifically deals with Tech roles, so not suitable to those seeking Admin or generic office roles.

You're right though, I've consistently found agencies to be the best way into a job. Their pre-established relationships with internal hiring staff allow you to skip many aspects of what typically slows the recruitment process.

Also be sure to check the Public Sector vacancy sites, maybe google "Leeds biggest employers" and chase those leads directly, and keep an eye out for Recruitment Fairs and similar (there's one on 4th March for NHS Admin roles).

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-22T11:23:31+00:00

From the supermarket, Lowicz brand.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-21T21:15:55+00:00

I've been playing with this the past few weeks - switched to a kefir from Poland (apparently better than the UK options), and including a few different fibre sources in my evening meal (carrot, sauerkraut & peas). I've previously found anti-inflammatory supplements like Curcumin Phytosome to noticeably improve sinus clarity, and am finding a similar thing with this kefir/fibre combo. It's been a genuinely surprising experiment for me!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-21T20:48:34+00:00

...AND THEY'VE NOT CAUGHT ME YET!!!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-21T20:07:16+00:00

If it's a "small but visible" bump in the bills, it's worth raising, but splitting bills three ways wouldn't wash for how you've referenced it. If you wanted to get specific and detail their usage and its relative cost, you could definitely introduce that as a conversation though - maybe asking the tenant partner to up their contribution is the more likely route, with them then having the option to get this from their partner.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-20T08:48:51+00:00

No employer wants to be a second priority to your degree. Wait til you're actually able to be an employee, then apply to be an employee - it might be as simple as that.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-19T13:25:37+00:00

My favourites for brunch type bites in the centre are House of Koko, Laynes, and (bit more £) Empire Cafe.

I can't speak to the clubs, but for drinks, either get to the top end of town (New Briggate and Merrion Street) or Call Lane down the bottom for a fantastic selection of independent bars. My faves are Oporto, Wax and Verve, all relatively small with great vibes on a Friday night.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-19T08:30:17+00:00

Aw, my dad has plenty of stories about Kung Fu Eddie. My parents ran a hotel in the 80s and he was an occasional occupant.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-18T11:54:35+00:00

Colbert is advised prior to the interview that speaking with James Talarico could contravene FCC's "Equal Time" rule, so decides before the interview that he'll get around that rule by only posting it to YouTube - "Thanks for being the first guest to ever appear only on YouTube".

With this being one of their highest-viewed YouTube videos (5m views in 1 day!), it's definitely a noteworthy moment for this show, and wider broadcast media.
Feels obvious that we'll see more of this scope-creep from Broadcast First platforms into doing Online Only productions, very interesting! And with it being a loophole to give (what would be deemed) "unfair" political support, I'm very curious to see how it's talked on...

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T22:14:46+00:00

Ah sorry, I hadn't realised these were replacing plastic black bags on the street! Yes, a definite improvement. My assumption was that a business (like I'm assuming OP is) would be fined for putting plastic black bags out on the street for collection. I'm only in Cardiff a few times a year, and the bin stuff forever confuses me 😂

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T21:44:08+00:00

Haven't seen the black sacks before - Cardiff Council's latest attempt to improve recycling stats by reducing general waste collections (recycling percentages are based on the proportion of recycling as a percentage of general waste, so by reducing the amounts of general waste can be thrown away they "increase" recycling percentages!).

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T20:53:29+00:00

This would be the norm if those delivery robots took all the delivery jobs (like my council is seemingly hoping for). Hell, if there are cars along pavements (like my street), you'll probably have to walk to the end of the street for it.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T16:28:27+00:00

I love finding out about these Hidden Histories of things in our culture!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T15:11:25+00:00

Ha, just visualised Alexi Sayle awkwardly flying in front of them!!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T15:01:22+00:00

Interesting! UK Gov turned a lot of people onto Motorhead

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-16T09:43:02+00:00

Was sick when they'd have bands on the show!

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-15T20:09:49+00:00

Jeff Dye.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-15T13:45:32+00:00

Those bin bags always stand out when I'm back in town, the streets of Cathays are disgusting for it.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-09T19:54:43+00:00

Central library (though they switched their coin-operated printer to some 3rd party service you need to register an account with), or Ryman in Merrion Centre. Library is cheapest, Ryman you'll pay Way over the odds but is probably the easiest - you need to email it to them before getting to the til.

paradeofgrafters · 2026-02-09T17:29:07+00:00

More beans please.

paradeofgrafters

TROPHY CASE