A 90's themed Cockapoo Café that found fame on Dragon's Den is coming to Leeds' Revolucion de Cuba in March.
Pop+Bark is a unique and innovative company which recently featured on BBC's Dragon's Den.
Founders Anushka Fernando and James Morgan caught the attention of businessmen Steven Bartlett and Toukar Suleman on last week's episode of the programme.
Both offered investment to the pair and although negotiations fizzled out, their idea was still given a big dragon seal of approval.
Image: Pop+Bark
Pop+Bark are the masterminds behind popular Dachshund Cafes which have been held in Leeds since 2019.
But now the company are kicking it up a notch and hosting a Cockapoo Cafe for the very first time.
On Sunday 5 March 2023, those looking to party with the pooches can head down to Revolucion de Cuba for an afternoon of fun for both you and your furry friends.
This year's theme is the 90's, with a fitting soundtrack and of course a 90's dress code very much encouraged.
Image: Pop+Bark
Expect doggy-sized furniture, a pop-up doggy boutique and the world's first 'Puppucino Bar'. There will also be plenty of delicious food and drink for humans to enjoy throughout the event, of course.
The cafe is open to anyone, whether you have a Cockapoo by your side or not.
Pop+Bark said: "Cockapoo Cafe is a safe, off-lead experience where cockapoos can roam, explore and play with other cockapoos. Just like birds of a feather flock together, dogs absolutely LOVE being with their fellow-kind.
Image: Pop+Bark
"Imagine being at a party where everyone has the same personality and social quirks - it's a recipe for the happiest party ever! With heaps of cute 90s photo opportunities, doggy-sized furniture and props, they'll love posing up a storm - in exchange for a treat, of course."
And it's not just Cockapoos who get to party at Revolucion de Cuba, the entire day is set out into specific time slots for other brilliant breeds such as Dachshunds, Frenchies and Pugs.
To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Pop+Bark's website.
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Clementine Hall -
23rd January 2023 
