In a bittersweet turn of events, one of the North's most gorgeous pubs has been crowned as one of the best in the country – but the news came just as it closed for good.
The Moorcock Inn – located in Sowerby Bridge near Halifax – received a nod from the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs awards, which took place on the same weekend that the pub sadly shut down.
The cosy Sowerby Bridge restaurant, famed for its local and wild ingredients, announced its closure with an emotional statement last spring but saw out the rest of 2022, reports The Manc.
Owners Aimee Turford and Alisdair Brooke-Taylor wrote that the decision to shut The Moorcock Inn was prompted by the end of their five-year lease, as well as the ‘unstable world’ of rising costs, supply issues and ‘looming recession’.
Image: The Moorcock
While the other winners on the list were celebrating their accolades, The Moorcock staff were throwing one final farewell party in their windswept corner of Norland Moor.
In the end, the raft of awards and critical acclaim it has earned over its years wasn’t enough to keep the business afloat.
The platform said: “Unfortunately the pub has had to close its doors just days before the list announcement, but read all about it below.
“The pub offers an ever-evolving seasonal menu alongside views over West Yorkshire’s Ryburn Valley and is an all-round charmer of a gastropub.”
Upon reviewing The Moorcock Inn, our food and drink editor found the venue to be full of surprises and warmth, from the outdoor barbecue where a chef cooked meat over coals in a blizzard to the snug bar itself showcasing an extensive drinks selection.
Image: The Manc Group
She wrote: “Let’s just say, the locals here are blessed.”
Our review of The Moorcock Inn’s food offering celebrated crispy potatoes served split in a heap of small dish of yeasty mayonnaise, a whole charcoaled flounder smeared in butter, and crispy pig tails with apple sauce and artichoke.
The restaurant was famed for its nose-to-tail ethos, from the butchering and dry-ageing taking place on site to the homegrown vegetables to the handmade crockery.
The Moorcock Inn was one of the greats and will be sorely missed – but at least it got to go out on a high.
The North West’s most ordered burger has landed in Leeds, and it’s easy to see why it’s loved by so many.
If you don't know about Burgerism, then get to know.
The iconic burger brand, which started life as a dark kitchen off an industrial estate in Salford, is now almost ready to welcome fans into its first Leeds location.
Set to open tomorrow – Wednesday 23 September – Burgerism will be serving up their signature smash burgers from a new site over in Meanwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The site sits right next to The Meadwood Tavern on Meanwood Road, the perfect location for if you're out and about and looking for a bit of grub after a few pints.
The interior is sporting the bright Burgerism orange, and although it is mainly a takeaway restaurant there are a few seats for sit-in.
You’ll be able to order your food at the counter, via self-service kiosks, or through click-and-collect on the Burgerism website.
Images: The Hoot leeds
Highlights on the menu will, as always, include the fan-favourite Cheesed (two smashed patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and the brand’s signature sauce, served in a seeded brioche bun), as well as a range of chicken burgers, fries, and wings.
Everything is made fresh to order, and even their sauces and dips are made entirely in-house.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And the good stuff doesn't stop there, as to celebrate the grand opening they'll be giving away the first 100 customers from 5pm a 'Comeback Card' where you'll eat on them during your next visit. So get there early if you don't want to miss out
The Meanwood site will be the sixth Burgerism site following its five openings elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Everything you need to know about the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales
Emily Sergeant
Licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to be able introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone - helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you're buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you've left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that 'it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]' and that physical ID will 'still remain a valid way' for customers to prove their age.
"This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out," she concluded.
Daisy Jackson -
30th January 2023 
