Chocolate lovers, unite - because the first-ever festival dedicated entirely to chocolate is coming to Yorkshire next month.
Yes, we can't quite believe that there's never been one in Yorkshire before either - but there we have it. Good things clearly come to those who wait.
Bringing together over 50 different chocolatiers and other chocolate-flavoured makers for the day, the festival will be held inside Sheffield's Kelham Island Museum on Sunday, 24 October.
Here, you'll be able to get your hands on a whole load of chocolatey samples and goodies - such as chocolate-themed gifts, brownies, doughnuts, hot chocolate and chocolate-flavoured rum and beers to name just a few.
It's not all going to be edible, either. For those who want to save their waistline with some stalls, rest assured there will be some stalls selling other chocolate-themed products that won't ruin your diet.
The festival - which is technically the first to take place in South Yorkshire - is being put together by charity Roundabout; a youth homelessness organisation that supports young people aged 16 to 25 in Sheffield Rotherham and Doncaster.
Roundabout’s Event Fundraiser, Emily Bush told The Star: "We are super excited to launch Yorkshire’s first-ever chocolate festival."
“There is going to be something for everyone, from brownies and doughnuts to hot chocolate and rum.
“You’ll find numerous treats to indulge in and other non-edible chocolate-themed gifts that will save your waistline too.”
She also said they are still on the hunt for local traders to take part and bring their delicious, chocolatey goodness to the event to make it the very best Yorkshire chocolate festival it can be.
“It’s very important now, though, that we reach out to those businesses that are going to make this event truly tasty," she added.
“If you are in the business of chocolate production or anything else to do with chocolate or sweet treats, it’s time to book a space and make this an indulgent day to remember,."
If you would like to get involved in the festival, get in touch directly with Emily here.
Feature image - Yorkshire Chocolate Festival
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Posh bakery chain Gail’s is finally coming to Yorkshire
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 HarrogateGail's will make its Yorkshire debut
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?
‘Historic’ moment as UK passes bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking
Emily Sergeant
The UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It's been a long time coming, but in what is being described as a 'historic' moment, the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill's passing as a 'historic moment for the nation's health' on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Pxhere
"Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm," Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
"Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain."
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak's Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill's passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups - most notably Cancer Research UK.
"This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking," concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd September 2021 
