With Halloween on the horizon, Britain is looking at a pumpkin shortage due to a poor harvest impacted by the weather.
There's something about carving a pumpkin, popping a tea light in it and placing it proudly on your doorstep that really gets you in the spooky spirit.
Whether it's a toothy, triangle-eyed terror that you're hacking away at with a blunt knife or a detailed witch on a broom which you've carefully stencilled out, it's truly a right of passage when it gets to Halloween.
However, pumpkin lovers may be in for a serious scare as farmers across the UK fear there might be a pumpkin shortage in time for the autumn festivities.
Image: Unsplash
Bad weather has said to have ruined a whopping one third of the pumpkin harvest in Britain this year.
According to the experts, the hot weather has caused the orange fruit to ripen a lot earlier than usual, which has had a huge impact on it's quality.
Subsequently, the shortage may lead to higher prices on this year's harvest for those who want to get creative with a Jack-o-lantern.
Guy French, a pumpkin farmer in Basildon, told The Mirror, “We are selling at a higher price, but the main factor for that is our input costs. We always say to customers, if you think the price of filling up your car with diesel has doubled, think of what it does for a tractor."
“The quality of the pumpkin is good - the skin finish is good, they’re a really good orange. But the drought had a knock-on impact on yield. You just haven’t got the volume there."
It is said that a lot of farms have already sold out their crops due to a large number of pre-orders, possibly due to manufacturers pre-empting this shortage.
So keep your eye out for pumpkins early this year and if you can't find one, then you may have to settle for another spherical shaped fruit. Perhaps a watermelon might do the job?
Tried and trusted Sheffield indie spot Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site and potentially dropping its "micro-bakery" title.
Opening just three years ago, Baker's Yard has become a sweet-treat staple in its Sheffield neighbourhood, Kelham Island, so much so, the owners have taken to social media to announce some very big plans.
Known for keeping Kelham Island visitors satisfied with their key lime pie and cheesecakes to loaves of bread and freshly baked pastries, now Baker's Yard is expected to continue doing so on a larger scale.
After putting out a call-out post earlier this month to recruit more front of house team members, the bakery waited just one more week before sharing its latest news.
What was once a "micro-bakery" is now about to undergo a particularly large transformation, as revealed in a new announcement via social media by the Baker's Yard team: "Our bakery is growing, into next door!"
Explaining this decision in further detail, the Kelham Island hotspot has said: "You can expect a greater variety of bakes, breads, pastries and cakes, including bespoke celebration and wedding cakes".
Already known for their bakery and coffee shop-hybrid, as well as the bespoke cake services they offer too, now Baker's Yard are covering all bases with an all-new venture.
Life just got a whole lot sweeter, as you'll be able to get your Baker's Yard fix all-day-long with the arrival of a restaurant, with the team promising, "Baker's Yard Bistro, a French inspired neighbourhood eatery" later down the line.
This year has been nothing but positive for this independent Sheffield business, as back in March Baker's Yard found itself included in The Good Food Guide's Top 50 Bakeries in the UK - Huge congrats.
Sheffield's beloved Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site / Credit: The Sheff
Anyone up for sampling some sweet treats or savoury selections that Baker's Yard has to offer can currently find them at 1 Baker's Yard, Sheffield (and very soon 2 Baker's Yard too) or online HERE - Good luck guys.
Featured Images - The Sheff (supplied)
News
The popular Manchester brunch spot serving all things viral is coming to Leeds
Clementine Hall
A brunch spot made famous across the pond is opening a site in Leeds.
If you're a fiend for all things brunch, then this news is going to get you a little bit excited.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its innovative watermelon sandwiches.
Oh, and they also went viral for serving a Labubu French Toast...but we'll let the photos do the talking on that one.
Images: The Manc Group
They've currently got one site in Manchester city centre with one more almost ready to open its doors, and now they're making their way across the Pennines and opening their first Yorkshire cafe right here in Leeds. Aren't we lucky.
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Bruncho said: "We’ve been keeping a HUGE SECRET, but now it’s finally time to share… LEEDS CITY CENTRE WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!!
"Keep your eyes peeled on our socials, we’ll be announcing our opening date SOON!!"
Images: The Manc Group
With queues constantly forming at their cafe in Deansgate, Manchester - we're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
It's not the first brunch spot to make their way over, with Federal opening on Boar Lane earlier this year that has been packed out ever since.
We'll of course keep you in the loop with opening dates as and when we find out but for now, Bruncho we can't wait to welcome you to our city.
Clementine Hall -
1st September 2022 
