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The floating sweet shop on the Leeds-Liverpool canal run by a pensioner
"We know where we are by the popularity of the sweet. If we're in Gargrave, they love their sarsaparilla-crazy. In Rodley, they love their midget gems and wine gums"
A man from Leeds who used to work on the markets has left his retirement to set up a new stall with a difference.
His floating sweet shop travels up and down the Leeds-Liverpool canal and has become quite the success after launching during lockdown.
Run by Pat Creaven and his wife Jill, Pendle Witch Sweets stops at various points along the canal - sailing between Rodley, Leeds, to Foulridge in Pendle.
Initially, the narrowboat was purchased by the couple to enjoy during their retirement but during the pandemic, Pat got other ideas and talked Jil into the new venture.
Image: Pendle Witch Sweets
It all started with the purchase of some old-fashioned Woolworths scales which, to his wife's dismay, inspired Pat to start the now very successful sweet shop business.
"It's a trip down memory lane, who didn't love a sweet shop when they were a kid?" he said, speaking to Leeds Live.
"It's that memory of sweets, you can walk along the canal and bring back memories."
Pat has colour coded all of his sweets to make shopping easy for those with special dietary requirements, including those with gluten intolerances, vegetarians and vegans.
He also has a dedicated 'memory lane' section which sells all of the old school favourites, like Yorkshire mix, rhubarb and custard, toffees and eclairs.
Image: Pendle Witch Sweets
"We know where we are by the popularity of the sweet. If we're in Gargrave, they love their sarsaparilla-crazy. In Rodley, they love their midget gems and wine gums," he continues.
The couple already traveled most of the UK and Irish canal system during their brief stint at retirement, and are now enjoying being out on the waters in a different capacity.
"You can't beat it, every morning you wake up and you have a different view. When you get used to one view, it's time to move."
Feature image - Pendle Witch Sweets
News
Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2021 
