The 'smallest shop in Pudsey' has been revived in tribute to its former owner.
Locally known as 'Aladdin's Cave', the Low-Cost shop in Pudsey has been revived to its former glory as a tribute to the former owner of 30 years, Charles Taylor.
The shop was sold by Mr Taylor in 2017, to Lucy Suddaby of Lucy Locket Design, an alteration business. It was the entrepreneur's first store and Lucy's business fast outgrew the tiny space.
Lucy Locket Design then moved to a bigger premises and the small store was rented out.
After learning of its former owner, Charles Taylor's, death eighteen months ago, Lucy decided to restore the Pudsey Low-Cost shop back to its former glory.
According to long-time residents, the business was extremely popular and stocked everything from DIY supplies to party and pet accessories, all at a low price.
The accessibility of the popular store was a huge attraction and has now been brought back to life.
There has been a new sign added to the front, but the same colour scheme has been used in memory of the former owner.
The old sign was beyond saving but Lucy has kept the same colours as a reference to its former owner. / Image: Yell
Although Lucy never knew Charles personally, she wanted to reinstate the store as it marked a major turning point in her career.
Now employing three people and with worldwide business picking up for Lucy Lockets Design, the company are continuing to grow.
The team will run both the Low-Cost and Lucy Lockets Design stores in Pudsey and have the community behind them.
Many customers have told Lucy that the Low-Cost "shop of all sorts" has been dearly missed.
The business owner even heard from the former owner's grand daughter who passed on her congratulations and best wishes to the business.
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Sophie Smith -
9th November 2021 
