Are you ready to dress dapper? Because Skopes, a heritage menswear brand, is setting up shop in Leeds.
If you're looking to purchase a swanky new suit ahead of the festive season, then look no further than Skopes.
One of the UK's longest-established menswear brands that recently celebrated its 75th anniversary is set to be your new go-to spot for everything menswear.
From suits and outwear to shirts and footwear, you'll find everything to make you feel your best in a range of varieties, styles and colours.
Image: Supplied
And luckily for us, their new location will be opening inside White Rose Shopping Centre this Saturday 28 September.
Dating back to 1948 when it was founded by Sydney Cope in the city, Skopes has a rich history in Leeds that makes the new opening even more exciting.
Today, the brand is led by his grandson, Simon Cope and continues to expand its reach with 19 existing stores and 15 concessions across the UK including Westfield, London, Meadowhall, Sheffield, and the Metro Centre, Newcastle.
Image: Supplied
To celebrate the grand opening, Skopes will host a brunch party open to the public, featuring VIP guests, live entertainment by Leeds singer songwriter Kuill and Britain’s Got Talent magician Luke Lenihan.
Married at First Sight star Matt Jameson will cut the ribbon with Skopes CEO Simon Cope at 9.30am where they'll be joined with long-standing Skopes customers and sports stars, Kevin Sinfield and Ross McCormack.
Images: Supplied
The event includes the opportunity to view Skopes’ latest collection and meet with men’s stylist Nick Hems, who will be on hand to provide personalised style advice tailored to formalwear needs, whether it’s for an upcoming event, workwear wardrobe upgrade or simply exploring this season’s trends.
The event will finish at 1.30pm and it is set to be a fantastic day to remember.
Simon expressed his excitement about the new store: “Leeds is more than the place where Skopes was founded; it's in our DNA. The city's heritage in textiles and its appreciation for quality and style have shaped our brand from the very beginning. Opening our White Rose store feels like a homecoming and a celebration of our roots.”
Image: Supplied
Simon added: “We constantly strive to stay ahead of the curve and meet the changing wants, needs, and desires of our customers. The role of the suit in men’s lives has changed dramatically since the pandemic; the five-days-a-week suited and booted look for the office is virtually a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean the suit is dead.
"Our customers now want suits for specific occasions and events, which our store lay-out reflects. It’s certainly not a boring ‘suits you, sir’ old-fashioned store and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”
To find out more about Skopes before their highly anticipated new opening, take a look at their website.
A much-loved Leeds cafe and brunch favourite has announced a major expansion, with bags more seating both inside and out.
Independent cafe Olive & Rye has announced that it's expanding into the unit next door in the beautiful Queens Arcade.
The local brunch spot has already started work on the neighbouring unit and is set to be back up and running in just a few weeks.
It's great news for the arcade, which is already home to businesses like Pop Boutique and Art & Soul, as well as Olive & Rye's sister business, the authentic little Thai cafe, Olive & Thai.
The cafe has a seasonal menu, so there's always a new special to try, as well as a core menu of classic brunch favourites like homemade granola, eggs on sourdough, and pancakes.
They're also famed for their huge full breakfasts, which feature items like crispy pork belly, homemade beans, black pudding, and hash browns.
Announcing the news yesterday, Olive & Rye said: "It’s finally official !!!
"We’re expanding into the unit next door. We so excited for a bigger dining area and kitchen. That means we will have more inside and outside spots for brunch
"We will be closed on February 3rd & 4th for construction, but back up and running on the 5th."
Popular holiday company launches new ‘Beckham Clause’ for feuding families
Emily Sergeant
A popular package holiday company has launched a new ‘Beckham Clause’ to help protect feuding families.
It's official… family fallouts are now holiday-proof, thanks to a new ‘Beckham Clause’ that’s been launched by a Manchester-based travel company On The Beach in the wake of the ongoing – and at this point, inescapable – Beckham family feud.
In case you need bringing up to speed, then allow us to (briefly) sum up the Beckham family drama for you as best as possible.
Basically, at the centre of this discourse the eldest Beckham child, Brooklyn, his wife Nicola Peltz, and primarily his mum Victoria, although as the months have gone on, it appears there’s no member of the Beckham family that isn’t somewhat involved (okay, maybe not Harper… well at least not publicly, anyway).
Image: Natalya Zaritskaya (via Unsplash)
Earlier this month, it was reported that Brooklyn had become estranged from his family, and had told his parents to contact him only through lawyers.
And then yesterday, of course, Brooklyn publicly spoke out about the accusations on his Instagram Stories for the first time ever… and all hell broke loose in the celebrity news world.
On the Beach’s new clause – officially titled the Family Fallout Refund, and already nicknamed the ‘Beckham Clause’ by bosses – aims to give holidaymakers peace of mind that no matter how messy things get at home, their getaway won’t suffer, as it applies to family holidays where one member suddenly drops out due to a feud, argument, or full-blown emotional meltdown.
Under the new policy, if a family member pulls out before departure, their share of the hotel booking will be refunded rather than leaving the rest of the group to foot the bill.
Family fallouts aren’t just limited to celebrities, every year hundreds of holiday bookings need amending due to feuds, On The Beach said, which is why it’s chosen to launch the new refund scheme.
“We love family holidays, but we’re also very aware that family fallouts cam hamper plans,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach.
“The ‘Beckham Clause’ is there for those moments when someone decides they’d rather cool off at home than by the pool.
“Our new perk means that if a family feud takes place and one person drops out, the rest of the group can still head off, relax, and enjoy the holiday they were looking forward to.”
The Family Fallout Refund is available on family holidays with five or more people, and needs to be claimed at least 60 days before departure.
It applies to new and existing bookings departing on or before 31 August 2026.
Clementine Hall -
25th September 2024 
