News

Charming pub named one of UK’s best is just a 30-minute drive from Leeds

Halifax pub The Shibden Mill Inn was ranked highly at this year's Estrella Damn Gastropub awards.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 24th January 2023

The UK’s Top 50 gastropubs have just been revealed in a prestigious annual list published by Estrella Damn, and one is just a short drive away from Leeds.

Popular West Yorkshire boozer The Shibden Mill Inn ranked this year at number 14 on the list, jumping up 17 places from its 2022 ranking.

Popular for its food offering and nearby walks, you’ll find it nestled in the Shibden Valley near Halifax.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it makes the perfect day out – and there are even bedrooms upstairs if you want to stay the night.

In the restaurant, you’re treated to a range of menus spanning breakfast, lunch and Sunday roasts as well as their famed a la carte and tasting menus.

Image: The Shibden Mill Inn

The bar, meanwhile, is separate and boasts an extensive wine list as well as a wide-reaching range of drinks that include some lovely local ales, spirit mixers and classic cocktails.

The charming 17th-century gastropub is much-loved by regulars and critics alike and has garnered quite an impressive collection of accolades over the past few years - counting among its collection a 2AA Rosette, a mention in the Good Food Guide, and now a top 20 Estrella Damn Gastropub ranking.

Overall, the 2023 list was dominated by the south but there were a number of other northern pubs featured.

Notably, these include nearby Yorkshire pubs The Angel at Hetton, Skipton (no.6) The White Swan at Fence, Burnley (no. 7), Shibden Mill Inn (no.14), and recently-closed pub The Moorcock Inn at Norland.

Read more: DMA’s, Cavetown, The Hive, Crawlers and more join huge Live at Leeds line-up announcement

Image: The Shibden Mill Inn

In total, the list saw five new entrants for 2023.  The Baring in London, the highest new entrant, came in at number 23 whilst on the marshy coastline of Norfolk The White Horse, another new entrant, was voted number 34.

Other awards announced at the ceremony on Monday night were One to Watch – which was given to The Victoria Oxshott, in Surrey. The Oarsman in Marlow was awarded Newcomer of the Year. Brook House in Fulham won best Front of House Team, and Chef of the Year went to Tom De Keyser, head chef of The Hand & Flowers in Marlow.

Read more: Eat Leeds Restaurant Week returns with incredible meals out from £5 

Top 50 Gastropubs, Publisher, Chris Lowe said: “We are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including five new entrants! The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a space for food and drink lovers the opportunity to explore the best that the UK has to offer. We are delighted to host this year’s event at The Unruly Pig, showcasing the vast amount of talent across the UK”

The Top 50 Gastropubs 2023 list is as follows:

1. Parkers Arms, Newton-In-Bowland

2. The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge

3. Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell

4. The Sportsman, Seasalter

5. The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells

6. The Angel at Hetton, Hetton

7. The White Swan at Fence, Fence

8. The Hand & Flowers, Marlow

9. The Fordwich Arms, Kent

10. The Red Lion and Sun, London

11. The Mariners, Rock

12. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock

13. The Harwood Arms, London

14. Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax

15. The Coach, Marlow

16. The Beehive, Great Waltham

17. The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton

18. The Pack Horse, Hayfield

19. Pyne Arms, Barnstaple

20. The Black Swan, Ravenstondale

21. The Moorcock Inn, Sowerby Bridge

22. The Guinea Grill, London

23. The Baring, London

24. The Masons Arms, Knowstone

25. Canton Arms, London

26. The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham

27. The Pipe and Glass, Beverley

28. The Longs Arms, South Wraxall

29. The Dog at Wingham, Canterbury

30. The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon

31. The Hardwick, Abergavenny

32. The Loch and The Tyne, Old Windsor

33. The Bull & Last, London

34. The White Horse, Brancaster

35. The Black Bull, Sedbergh

36. The Swan, Bampton

37. The Bell Inn, Langford

38. Scran and scallie, Edinburgh

39. The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton

40. The Duck Inn, Stanhoe

41. The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne

42. The Black Bear Inn, Usk - Wales

43. Heft, High Newton

44. The Broad Chare, Newcastle

45. Woods, Dulverton

46. The Gunton Arms, Norwich

47. The French House, London

48. The Eagle, Farringdon, London

Feature image - The Shibden Mill Inn

News

Retail giant Uniqlo delays opening date for new Leeds store

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It's official, Uniqlo is making its way to Leeds. Well, it's about time isn't it?

You may remember last June that murmurings of Uniqlo opening in Leeds were happening.

The news spread after planning documents appeared for new ‘Uniqlo’ signage on the Store House building on Briggate.

We've been keeping our fingers crossed that the news was actually true, and it is.

Uniqlo themselves have confirmed that three new stores will be popping up across the UK over the next two years, with one of them being right here in Leeds.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Their first store of the roll-out opened in Birmingham's Bullring, followed by a new store in Bristol this year.

Leeds was also meant to open this year, but unfortunately, Uniqlo has announced things are delayed and its opening will be pushed into 2027.

The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.

CGI mockups from firms Thirty One Design and Ink Associates include the glass fronted store with Uniqlo’s signature red signage hanging above the door and off the building.

These will be made from sheet metal with a “sprayed finish” – sounds pretty swanky if you ask us.

Uniqlo UK COO Alessandro Dudech stated: "Uniqlo remains committed to strengthening its presence within the UK retail sector by expanding both our physical store network and ecommerce capabilities nationwide.

"As part of this strategic initiative, we look forward to introducing Uniqlo to the communities and visitors in the North of England, at the new Leeds location and simultaneously reaching customers in the South West in Bristol's Cabot Circus.".

Uniqlo is known for its affordable and minimalist clothing, stocking everything from raincoats and puffer jackets to jeans and a wide range of accessories.

We’ll keep you updated on the timeframe, as to be honest we’re just as excited as you are to be welcoming Uniqlo to the high street.

Read more: A discount Greggs has opened in Leeds with half price sandwiches, donuts and sausage rolls

Featured image - Uniqlo

News

Police urgently appeal after teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over bank holiday weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenage boy was stabbed in Leeds over the bank holiday weekend.

West Yorkshire Police explained that officers were called out to Roundhay Road at around at 6:05pm on Monday 31 August following reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed, and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was located and subsequently taken to hospital, where he received treatment for an injury described as non-life-threatening.

Police say the incident occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival, but are keen to assure the public that they believe this was an 'isolated and targeted' act.

Following further enquiries, it is now believed that the actual offence occurred on Shepherd’s Lane, potentially near the junction with Back Hares Avenue.

Investigating officers have released information on the suspect and identified several people they are keen to speak to.

As the police investigation is ongoing, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Hartley commented: "This is clearly a concerning incident in which a young teenage boy has suffered a significant stab wound.

"We have extensive enquiries ongoing, including house to house enquiries and reviewing CCTV. We are conscious though that this offence has occurred near to the Leeds West Indian Carnival and there will have been a large number of people in the vicinity who may not necessarily be from the Chapeltown area.

“The suspect for this offence is described as being male, around 15-16 years-old and was wearing a balaclava. He was with two girls. We are keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen this group in the area or who witnessed any part of this incident.

"Although this was a serious incident, our enquiries so far suggest it was an isolated and targeted act... [and] we remain focused on identifying those responsible and providing reassurance to the community."

Can you help? Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds CID online, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13260496572.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image - RawPixel

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