Marks and Spencer has announced it will be investing almost half a BILLION into creating "bigger, better stores across the UK".
The Leeds-born supermarket chain announced earlier that the company will be creating a total of 3,400 new jobs across the country, there will be a total of twenty new stores opened, including a brand new spot in Leeds' own White Rose Shopping Centre.
White Rose will be one of eight full-line destination stores (the big ones) and is thought to be taking over the former Debenhams site inside the shopping centre and has spent the last week or so taking over its socials with photographs of the brand new store to give us a little sneak peek at what lies ahead...
Images: M&S - Leeds White Rose
The popular supermarket store has also announced that the first 200 people through the door will receive a golden ticket with prizes like Percy Pigs and exclusive money off vouchers to be won.
Set to open on Thursday 25 May 2023 - there's still over a month to go, but that doesn't mean M&S isn't getting people excited about the opening in the meantime.
You can keep up to date with the new M&S via Facebook here.
The investment in M&S hopes to see 180 stores and 420 food stores by the 2025/2026 financial year.
Plans also include upping the omni-channel shopping experience for those wanting a quick dash in and out by introducing a further 130 Digital Click & Collect option to 130 stores.
The full list of new stores, including foodhalls, relocations and 'renewals' includes:
Stevenage (opened 28th April 2022)
Colchester (opened 7th Sep 2022)
Chesterfield (opened 30th Nov 2022)
Purley Way (expected Summer 2023)
Leeds White Rose (expected Summer 2023)
Liverpool (expected Summer 2023)
Birmingham Bullring (Autumn 2023)
Lakeside Thurrock (Winter 2023)
Trafford Centre (Winter 2023)
Stockport (expected Summer 2023)
Barnsley (expected Autumn 2023)
Largs (expected Winter 2023)
Stuart Machin, Chief Executive of M&S commented: “Stores are a core part of M&S’s omni-channel future and serve as a competitive advantage for how customers want to shop today. Our store rotation programme is about making sure we have the right stores, in the right place, with the right space and we’re aiming to rotate from the 247 stores we have today to 180 higher quality, higher productivity full line stores that sell our full Clothing, Home and Food offer whilst also opening over 100 bigger, better food sites.
There will also be a number of new Food Halls. / Image: Marks and Spencer
"The out performance of our recently relocated and renewed stores, give us the confidence to go faster in our plan. Our investment in stores not only delivers a better experience for customers and colleagues, it boosts local communities with new job creation and will help us deliver a more sustainable estate in every sense.”
Leeds White Rose is expected to open in Summer 2023.
Feature Image- Marks and Spencer
News
Sheffield’s beloved Baker’s Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site
Tried and trusted Sheffield indie spot Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site and potentially dropping its "micro-bakery" title.
Opening just three years ago, Baker's Yard has become a sweet-treat staple in its Sheffield neighbourhood, Kelham Island, so much so, the owners have taken to social media to announce some very big plans.
Known for keeping Kelham Island visitors satisfied with their key lime pie and cheesecakes to loaves of bread and freshly baked pastries, now Baker's Yard is expected to continue doing so on a larger scale.
After putting out a call-out post earlier this month to recruit more front of house team members, the bakery waited just one more week before sharing its latest news.
What was once a "micro-bakery" is now about to undergo a particularly large transformation, as revealed in a new announcement via social media by the Baker's Yard team: "Our bakery is growing, into next door!"
Explaining this decision in further detail, the Kelham Island hotspot has said: "You can expect a greater variety of bakes, breads, pastries and cakes, including bespoke celebration and wedding cakes".
Already known for their bakery and coffee shop-hybrid, as well as the bespoke cake services they offer too, now Baker's Yard are covering all bases with an all-new venture.
Life just got a whole lot sweeter, as you'll be able to get your Baker's Yard fix all-day-long with the arrival of a restaurant, with the team promising, "Baker's Yard Bistro, a French inspired neighbourhood eatery" later down the line.
This year has been nothing but positive for this independent Sheffield business, as back in March Baker's Yard found itself included in The Good Food Guide's Top 50 Bakeries in the UK - Huge congrats.
Sheffield's beloved Baker's Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site / Credit: The Sheff
Anyone up for sampling some sweet treats or savoury selections that Baker's Yard has to offer can currently find them at 1 Baker's Yard, Sheffield (and very soon 2 Baker's Yard too) or online HERE - Good luck guys.
Featured Images - The Sheff (supplied)
News
The popular Manchester brunch spot serving all things viral is coming to Leeds
Clementine Hall
A brunch spot made famous across the pond is opening a site in Leeds.
If you're a fiend for all things brunch, then this news is going to get you a little bit excited.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its innovative watermelon sandwiches.
Oh, and they also went viral for serving a Labubu French Toast...but we'll let the photos do the talking on that one.
Images: The Manc Group
They've currently got one site in Manchester city centre with one more almost ready to open its doors, and now they're making their way across the Pennines and opening their first Yorkshire cafe right here in Leeds. Aren't we lucky.
Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Bruncho said: "We’ve been keeping a HUGE SECRET, but now it’s finally time to share… LEEDS CITY CENTRE WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!!
"Keep your eyes peeled on our socials, we’ll be announcing our opening date SOON!!"
Images: The Manc Group
With queues constantly forming at their cafe in Deansgate, Manchester - we're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
It's not the first brunch spot to make their way over, with Federal opening on Boar Lane earlier this year that has been packed out ever since.
We'll of course keep you in the loop with opening dates as and when we find out but for now, Bruncho we can't wait to welcome you to our city.
Sophie Smith -
17th April 2023 
