A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire

X

Eats

Posh bakery chain Gail’s is finally coming to Yorkshire

It was only a matter of time.

Daisy Jackson - 23rd April 2026

Gail's has finally set its sights on Yorkshire for the first time, with a new bakery set to open this year.

It's one of the UK's most famous bakeries, launching in London in the early 1990s to supply restaurants, before opening its first retail site and cafe in Hampstead in 2005.

Gail's founders set out on a mission to bake bread as it used to be baked: by hand, using quality ingredients and time-worn artisanal methods.

While Gail's has expanded aggressively into the north, opening around a dozen bakeries in Greater Manchester and its surrounds, it hasn't made the journey across to Yorkshire just yet.

All that looks set to change, with job ads now listed for roles within a brand-new Yorkshire branch of Gail's.

Based on the job advert, Gail's is heading straight to the spa town of Harrogate - which is a fairly predictable move.

It looks like Gail's is heading for Harrogate

Gail's will make its Yorkshire debut — It looks like Gail's is heading for Harrogate

It had previously been reported that Gail's would be going to Knaresborough, but the job posting appears to hint that Harrogate will be the first Yorkshire location.

When it does open, you'll find loaf choices including classic white and brown sourdough, Gail’s ‘wasteless’ loaves (made using a specially-created recipe designed to incorporate unsold bread crumbs), alongside seeded varieties, baguettes and batons.

Must-tries include Gail’s famous cinnamon buns, still-warm cheese and ham croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and – given the weather we’re having this week – iced coffees, all day long preferably please.

But given the number of fantastic local bakeries all over Yorkshire, the question is, does anyone want Gail's?

Read more: The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom

Daisy Jackson Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom

Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom

You know the venue, and you know the operators behind it, but things are looking a little different over on Sovereign Street.

Leeds' very own Kirkstall Brewery has teamed up with street food legends Little Bao Boy to totally reinvent the city centre taproom formerly known as North Taproom.

At the all-new The City Taproom, you'll find a way cosier space alongside their sun-soaked terrace, as they aim to reimagine a traditional city centre pub.

Across 16 tap lines there are loads of Kirkstall Brewery classics, like Kirkstall Pilsner, Virtuous and Judicious, plus a rotating selection of guest beers from top British breweries - and Guinness, of course.

The City Taproom will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Three Swords as a staple, and the other on rotation starting this month with Golden Hour.

There's a bigger kitchen for Little Bao Boy too, which means an even larger menu of bao and Asian street food, like loaded fries, noodles, and rice bowls.

Little Bao Boy was founded 10 years ago by James Ooi, specialising in home-made bao buns and traditional Asian street food with a contemporary western twist.

Kirkstall have injected the huge space with the traditional essence of a proper Kirkstall establishment, with that kind of cosy atmosphere you know them for at the brewery's other sites.

Little Bao Boy at City Taproom

Kirkstall Brewery pints and cocktails — Little Bao Boy at City Taproom

This is yet another of the local brewery's openings in the city centre, joining their recent renovation of The Victoria & Commercial in partnership with Whitelocks, plus their stewardship of the historic Tetley brewery building.

James Ooi, founder of Little Bao Boy said: "We have been part of this venue since day one, through COVID, outside seating, and new owners, and we are so excited for this refurb.

"On the food side, expect more collaborations, faster service, and a better overall customer experience. We are extremely grateful Kirkstall saw the value in this refurb and can't wait to get back open."

Steve Holt, founder of Kirkstall Brewery, said: "We're delighted to unveil a new presentation for the Taproom on Sovereign Street.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Hoot Leeds (@thehootleeds)

"It has been named The City Taproom after a famous but long-gone Leeds pub known as ‘The City’, which was situated where the statue of the Dortmund Brewer now stands. Images of the original City pub are a feature in the new look City Taproom, which can best be described as a 're-imagination' of a traditional city-centre pub.

"The City Taproom celebrates Leeds and its rich pub and brewing heritage. We hope that it will become a popular addition to the amazing and diverse venues that make Leeds such a vibrant City for hospitality and entertainment."

It's all the bits you loved before, just a little bigger and a whole lot better.

The City Taproom opens at 3 Sovereign Street on Thursday 23 April.

Read more

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Much-loved West Yorkshire cafe announces closure after heartbreaking health diagnosis

A popular cafe and bake house in West Yorkshire has announced it will close at the end of the month, after its founder received a devastating diagnosis.

Lucy's Little Bake House in Halifax has shared the 'very difficult news' that it will be closing its doors in just a few weeks' time.

Founder Lucy Chapple told followers that she has sadly been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

She now plans to step away from the business so that she can 'focus all of my time and energy on treatment and being with my beautiful family'.

Lucy's Little Bake House has been flooded with messages of support ever since sharing the news this week.

Lucy wrote that she will 'always be deeply grateful for every order, every visit, and every kind word' received since launching the cafe.

She was first diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer a little over a year ago, and ever since has been sharing symptoms and warning signs to raise awareness, encouraging people not to ignore any signs that don't feel right.

Announcing the imminent closure of Lucy's Little Bake House, she wrote: "Hi everyone, After a lot of thought, I need to share some very difficult news. News which I never wanted to share.

"Lucy's Little Bake House will be closing its doors at the end of April. This is because I've recently been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel c-ancer

"I need to step away from the business and focus all of my time and energy on treatment and being with my beautiful family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucy’s Little Bake House (@lucyslittlebakehouse)

"Our last day will be Thursday 30th April. Before then we are open as usual so please come and see us. I would love to see you!

"Running this business and serving our Gorgeous customers for the past 7 years has meant the world to me. Your support, kindness, and loyalty over the years have helped make Lucy's Little Bake House so special, and I will always be deeply grateful for every order, every visit, and ever kind word.

"Thank you for supporting my small business and for being part of this incredible journey. With so much love and gratitude, Lucy XXX

"P.S. Please please share this post so I can reach as many customers as possible"

We've got a few weeks left before Lucy's Little Bake House closes for good, so head over to Dean Clough and show them some support.

Read more: Beloved local bakery set to expand with a new Chapel Allerton cafe

Featured image: Instagram, @lucyslittlebakehouse