Beloved Yorkshire-born bakery Cooplands may soon be popping up in petrol and service stations across the UK, following news that the brand has sold to entrepreneurs Zuber and Mohsin Issa - who also bought Asda last year.
Huge expansion plans have been announced for the chain as part of the acquisition deal, which sees the UK's second-largest bakery chain snapped up by the Mancunian Issa brother's EG Group.
Known for their petrol and service stations, the brothers used the EG Group to acquire CS Food Groups Holdings Limited, which operates as Cooplands.
Through this group, Cooplands owns and operates three bakeries that produce its fresh products before they are distributed to a network of 180 stores and cafes across Yorkshire and the northeast.
Cooplands opened a store in Yeadon, Leeds in September but after their acquisition with EG Group, it is expected the bakery brand will travel further across the UK. Image: Cooplands Bakery
Cooplands has come a long way since its 1885 debut as a pork butcher and pie maker. The business now has over 170 shops and twelve cafes across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the northeast but this number is only set to expand over the month months.
In a statement regarding the takeover, EG Group said that Cooplands "complement EG Group’s extensive food service brand portfolio, including popular third-party brands such as Starbucks, KFC and Subway".
The "transaction will provide a platform to diversify the Cooplands brand into the transient petrol forecourt and retail convenience store channel, alongside the bakery chain’s traditional store formats, through EG Group’s extensive UK network".
The acquisition also promises to ensure that the fresh food remains at the forefront of Cooplands' image so that they can continue "to satisfy existing customers and attract new ones".
The assurance of remaining an authentic, individual brand should mirror the approach taken regarding the management of other recent EG Group acquisitions, including popular restaurant chain LEON in May 2021.
Cooplands was previously backed by BGF, however this new acquisition from EG Group marks the end of BGF's involvement in the bakery chain.
Although there is no set time frame for the introduction of Cooplands in EG stores, we can only imagine that we will be seeing Yorkshire's finest baked goods in petrol and service stations, amongst other stores in the near future.
Matcha girls assemble, because a new cafe dedicated to it is opening right here in Leeds.
It seems like matcha has taken the world by storm over the past year or so, more often than not you'll see caffeine enthusiasts walking around with bright green drinks over a cup of coffee.
If you're one of those people then you're in luck, because a cafe dedicated to the stuff is opening right here in Leeds.
Introducing Made Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year.
Images: The Sheff
And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site, the beautiful plant shop hasn't been around for long and sadly closed quietly without much noise.
So, what can we expect from Made?
This pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Images: The Sheff
You can get everything from a Strawberry Shortcake Matcha to a Sticky Date Latte, and you can pretty much guarantee that every time you go they'll have a few more specials on the menu.
Our mates over at The Sheff recommend the Banana Bread Matcha and to be honest, you don't have to tell us twice.
Not only do they serve gallons of the good green stuff, but you can also get fresh açaí bowls, sandwiches and superfood smoothies.
We've got a feeling this spot will be very busy post-pilates class on a Saturday morning, and to be honest we'll see you there.
There's no opening date yet, but we'll keep you in the loop.
Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer
Clementine Hall
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.
Image: Supplied
And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
Sophie Smith -
6th October 2021 
