The owner of a roadside cafe in Yorkshire claims that men “from Manchester” are holding dogging parties in the bushes behind them.
Sharon Wherrett – the co-owner of Big Baps @ Junction 25 in Brighouse – said that she sees at least “two or three doggers” every morning as she is serving customers their breakfast, and claims that the men in question are coming “from Manchester”.
Apparently, sometimes there are so many people that there’s no room for lorry drivers and other drivers to park in the lay-by next to the cafe.
Sharon claims that the wooded area behind her cafe is littered with condoms and old mattresses that are used for people to have sex on, and after having repeatedly reported the issue to her local MP and the police, she now feels she needs to warn walkers in the area herself.
“If you came and had breakfast at our cafe, you’d see two or three doggers, guaranteed,” Sharon told Yorkshire Live.
“Most people think it’s funny, but it’s actually really seedy.
“There’s a charity that comes down and puts condoms and lube in the trees.”
Sharon added: “Families want to walk down there and we have to warn them ‘actually no it’s a male dogging site down there’ and we get homophobic comments, it’s just terrible.
The owner of Big Baps @ Junction 25 said that she sees at least “two or three doggers” every morning / Credit: Google Maps
“If it were a female and male dogging site, I’d feel exactly the same [but] that just doesn’t come in to it – it’s the fact that it’s a dogging site.
“There’s a hotel 20 yards up the road, I’m sure they would appreciate the business.”
Sharon claims that men come “from Manchester” to attend dogging parties behind the layby, which is having a real impact on her business, and not only because lorry drivers are often left without a safe place to park for their rest breaks.
“The truckers who do manage to park there on a night get propositioned, they knock on the cab and say ‘dya fancy a bit?’,” Sharon continued.
“Sunday afternoon is worse and on a night, they come from Manchester and have parties down there.
“A lot of them have car seats in the car, with baby seats.”
She concluded: “The main thing I’d love to do is for truckers to be able to park [as] they come in depressed, they’re away from their families and they want a warm meal.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
A new Turkish-inspired street food spot serving homemade shawarma is coming to Leeds city centre
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2021 
