#BuyLeeds: Support Leeds Indie Business this Christmas

#BuyLeeds: Support Leeds Indie Business this Christmas

by Althaea Sandover

We’ve been on the edge of our seats watching beloved local businesses adapt to survive this year. Harpy Mag was born in Leeds, a city of disparate souls connected through a vibrant indie scene.

Whether you’re Northern born and bred or have fallen for Leeds from afar, the community spirit here is unmistakable, and it’s brought to life by a network of dreamers and grafters who put everything into what they do. That’s the Leeds indie scene - and it needs your help this Christmas!

#BuyLeeds is an urgent new campaign led by the citizens of Leeds to encourage everyone to shop with small businesses this Christmas. Supported by Leeds Indie Food, Leeds City Council and a number of local independents, the campaign is an attempt to save jobs and give a lifeline to small businesses that have struggled throughout the pandemic.

The minds behind this campaign have already done a fantastic job collating a Leeds Indie Directory to help you find all your favourite indies (and hopefully some undiscovered gems) online. From the directory, you can filter to see which businesses have an online shop, are running a click and collect service, or offer gift cards. You can also discover local makers and producers (to give that arty person in your life a truly tasteful gift).

If there’s just too much to choose from - or you want to help your loved ones out with gift ideas for you - why not try an Open gift card that can be used in independents all over the city?

We know it feels a little early to get excited about Christmas - especially with over 2 weeks left of the national lockdown - but #BuyLeeds has definitely conjured a little festive cheer here at Harpy Mag. We hope you’ll join us in shopping small this Christmas and lending a helping hand to the local people who need us most.

Ask any business owner, artist or creative, and they’ll tell you that when you give a gift from an independent, you give a gift twice.

So, let’s dodge multi-million dollar, tax-avoiding retailers this Christmas, and help our gorgeous city bounce back from this pandemic. Please support your local indie scene!

Follow @BuyLeeds on Twitter and Instagram and shoutout your favourite local businesses, makers and producers with the #BuyLeeds on social media.

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