As the warmer weather settles in for the summer, those who live and work in Leeds during the week may find they miss out on the sunshine as they are holed up in the office, only stepping into the sun to grab a quick bite to eat back at their desk.

However, from Saturday 3 July, Leeds workers and residents will be able to grab a Little Picnics to sit outside and sample; a bespoke picnic bag available throughout the summer at seven of the best independent food suppliers from across Holbeck Urban Village including Granary Wharf and Round Foundry.

Each venue will be offering its own personalised lunch available in a Little Picnics bag so that people can make the most of the summer at a range of great picnic spots south of the city centre. This stunning waterside area has undergone a significant amount of regeneration in recent years and there are many scenic spots from the newly developed public realm at the Granary Wharf sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds/Liverpool Canal which offers grassy banks and benches interspersed among newly planted trees, making it an ideal place to picnic and watch the world go by.

Those looking to linger longer over lunch can pick up a picnic and follow the Green Corridor trail into Holbeck and enjoy a lunch on the lawns of Holbeck Moor. The Leeds/Liverpool canal offers grassy banks with striking waterside views, or bag a spot on the mowed lawns and granite benches surrounding the contemporary Mint development on Sweet Street. These are also several sites which have been transformed into temporary green areas such as Igloo’s Wonderwood, a pop-up art park or Out of the Woods ‘Green Corner’; a turfed area outside this popular deli, great for sampling a home-made smoothie in the sun. No matter where you work in the city there are many places perfect for eating alfresco this summer.

The Little Picnics bags are available from The Hop at Granary Wharf as well as Holbeck Urban Village favourites Engine House Café, Out of the Woods, David Street Café, Pickled Pepper, Cross Keys and the Midnight Bell. Each venue has designed its own special menu and customers can choose from lighter snacks such as a slice of home-made cake and coffee from the Engine House Café, to a jam-packed feast from the Pickled Pepper Deli which includes a salad box or slice of quiche/frittata, home-made chocolate brownie and drink.

The Little Picnics are being launched thanks to a partnership between the Holbeck Urban Village team at Leeds City Council and developers ISIS Waterside Regeneration, which developed Granary Wharf and Igloo Regeneration, which owns commercial spaces in Holbeck Urban Village including Marshall’s Mill and the Round Foundry Estate, to support the eclectic range of independent suppliers located in this buzzing community just south of the city centre.

The Little Picnics bags are available at each venue until 5 September and prices will range between outlets. Each bag will contain details of the top picnic corners in the area as well as full menus available.

Images by: Guzelian