Long time sweet treat favourites Batch'd will be opening a store in the heart of Leeds this summer.
If you've caught the scent of melting chocolate or the crunch of cookies in Leeds Train Station over the past few months, chances are you've been drooling over Batch'd, the Leeds-born small business championing the city's independent dessert traders.
There's delicious baked goods and artisan desserts aplenty to choose from. Think donuts, brownies, cookies, cookie pies, pastel de natas and ice cream from Leeds-own Doboy donuts, Brown & Blond Brownies, 42nd East Bakehouse, Sweet Tooth Bakery to choose from- and now, there will be a brand new location for foodies to pick up their sweet treats.
Just one year on from their first kiosk opening at White Rose Shopping Centre in 2021, Batch'd will be opening their very own store inside Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre. The business started as a lockdown success after owner David Richmond's airport taxi company was impacted by the pandemic.
Coming together with his colleagues Harry Clavane and Louis Richmond, the team started Batch'd after developing a business that delivered fresh groceries before eventually moving on to the notion of getting a delivering locally-produced cakes, doughnuts and brownies and selling them at a food fair, where they came up with the concept of Batch’d.
Harry Clavane, Managing Director at Batch’d, said: “We’re proud to offer something completely different from the mass-produced baked goods you often see. We do pick-ups from our independent, small-batch bakeries in the north every morning, and deliver them straight to our kiosks and stores to ensure they’re at their freshest.
Image: Supplied (UMPH)
“Opening our first stand-alone store, at the same time as celebrating the 1st anniversary of our first kiosk at the White Rose centre, feels like a momentous milestone and we’re excited to give local artisan bakers a platform in such an iconic location as Trinity Leeds.”
Nick Jones, Assistant Centre Director, at Trinity Leeds, said: “Batch’d is a fantastic example of a local business supporting other independent Leeds-based suppliers and we’re excited to have them on board here at Trinity Leeds, offering the perfect pitstop for anyone with a sweet tooth.”
Whilst the official opening date is yet to be announced, you can bet that the news will keep Loiners heading to Leeds Trinity in anticipation of the new opening.
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Leeds
Leeds Bradford Airport workers to strike over half term, as industrial action escalates in dispute over pay
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Beloved Leeds pub to undergo huge transformation following £230k investment
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, and will open under a completely different name.
The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton has received a whopping £230k investment, and is set to reopen as a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub.
The much-loved community pub will be completely transformed, with new features designed to deliver a 'stadium-style' sports experience.
The refurbishment will include the installation of multiple massive screens, an immersive state-of-the-art sound system, and flexible tiered seating.
The beer garden will also be refurbished, with new TV screens installed, whilst the interior will be decked out with sports memorabilia of local stars past and present.
Once reopened, the pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts and horse racing.
Operations Manager, Zoe Eastwood, said: “We are so excited about the plans to re-open as a Grandstand pub. We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they can visit us again.”
Local Leeds sports teams will be able to apply for a Grandstand ‘Black Card’, giving them access to exclusive offers and rewards for celebrating their wins at their new local.
The Grandstand transformation follows industry research revealing that 8.5 million consumers have watched live sport in pubs, with 86% of fans preferring sports pubs for their atmosphere.
The Mustard Pot has now closed for refurbishment and will reopen on Wednesday 4 November.
What do you make of this transformation then? Will you miss The Mustard Pot as you know and love it, or are you excited for the new concept?
You can find out more about the new space here via their website.
Sophie Smith -
21st July 2022 
