Co-op has just launched a new grocery delivery service in Leeds city centre that’s running 24-hours a day.
In a bid to “respond to growing demand” for quick and easily-accessible groceries from consumers, such as shift workers, parents of young families, and late-night revellers in particular, the supermarket retailer has decided to begin offering 24-hour grocery delivery services in three major city centres – London, Manchester, and of course, Leeds.
It comes after new research from Co-op apparently shows that more than 40% of online shoppers would use an 11pm to 5am delivery service if it was available.
This figure then rises to around almost one in two consumers who are aged between 18-44, with the service believed to be most popular for Gen Z shoppers aged 18-24 (52.3%) out of everyone.
Images: Co-op (via Flickr)
The new research also revealed than an estimated six million UK adults believe the main reason they would use the extended 24-hour service if it was available to them would be due to their work pattern or their shifts.
Co-op says it’s launching the new service this month in places where there is strong online grocery demand at “non-traditional times”.
Stores have been selected based on the local demographic, a concentration of delivery driver availability, and where the premises is already staffed around the clock for replenishment purposes.
Groceries will be delivered through Co-op’s e-commerce partners Uber Eats.
”Meeting the needs of our customers is at the heart of our approach,” explained Chris Conway, who is Co-op’s E-Commerce Director, as the new 24-hour service was announced.
UK singer-songwriter Tom Odell is set to play a huge outdoor Leeds show this summer.
Sounds of the City is making a triumphant return this summer and we couldn't be more excited.
Being added to the already star-studded lineup is Tom Odell, a Chichester-born singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt piano ballads and distinctive tone.
You may also know him from a certain John Lewis advert which made sure there were no dry eyes in the house.
The announcement follows a huge year for Tom Odell, who released his latest album A Wonderful Life and completed a major UK arena tour.
Known for his emotionally charged, piano‑led anthems, Tom Odell first rose to prominence after winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in 2013 and has since become one of the UK’s most successful contemporary artists, with massive global hits like “Another Love”, which has now surpassed three billion streams on Spotify.
The ‘Another Love’ singer will perform on Saturday 4 July and will be supported by Matt Maltese.
Already announced for Sounds of the City are Dylan Gossett, Alabama Shakes, Wet Leg, The Human League and The Cribs.
The Millennium Square gigs are always fantastic fun, with previous acts including Blossoms, McFly and Mika bringing huge audiences to the city.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 6 February at 10am and you can get your tickets here.
Pre-sale starts this Thursday 5 February which you can access by signing up to Millennium Square's mailing list here.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”