When it comes to brunch, there's not much we haven't tried. Here in Leeds, we're spoilt for choice, with everything from benedicts to gyros on offer - if you know where to look.
But now, there's another new addition to the city's dining scene that really needs shouting about.
The Botanist has just unveiled a huge new brunch offering, giving diners the chance to build their perfect meal from scratch.
Featuring a seemingly endless number of combinations, there's everything from yoghurt and scrambled tofu to Biscoff french toast, Croque Monsieurs and smoked trout pate on offer.
The brand-new concept from the restaurant chain lets you select five small plates from a choice of 28 different options, all served on a wooden board and priced at £15.95 per person.
The Botanist has launched a new ‘build your own brunch’ board concept / Credit: The Botanist
If you’re really hungry though, extra dishes can be added for an additional £3 each, reports The Manc.
So, how does the build your own brunch board actually work then?
Well, it’s split into five categories – bakery, protein punch, hearty, on the side, and sweet treat – to give you a wide range of mouthwatering options, with some of the dishes including ham hock egg benedict, Croque Monsieur, smoked trout and salmon pate, acai berry protein smoothie, and Nutella and Biscoff french toast.
There are plenty of options suitable for vegans and those following a plant-based diet too, with dishes including Scrambled Tofu with sundried tomato oil and toasted seeds, plant-based Cumberland sausage, mini hash browns, and passionfruit and chia yoghurt.
There’s over 98,280 different combinations to choose from / Credit: The Botanist
Diners can either choose one dish from each section to create a balanced board of options or choose any five dishes they like from the full list.
This means there’s a total of a whopping 98,280 different combinations to create.
That’s not all either as there’s a drinks package upgrade too, with new brunch cocktails that have been expertly crafted by The Botanist’s in-house “cocktail wizards”, including smoked rose-mary, Campari G&T, and watermelon garibaldi, as well as a range of nourishing and freshly-prepared Juice Boosts.
The Botanist Brunch is now available from 9am at participating sites, although specific service days and times vary depending on individual venues, and you can find out more information here.
Featured Image – The Botanist
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Inside Sheffield’s new supersize JD Sports Store that has just opened in Meadowhall
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
10th June 2022 
