The Grand Pacific in the Queens Hotel have launched a Halloween High Tea menu, complete with spooky cocktails.
From 25 October - 7 November, the Queens Hotel will be treating customers to a high tea with a Halloween twist. Luckily, there will be no tricks, only treats in the shapes of spooky sandwiches, pumpkin smores and more.
This experience promises to be a spooky afternoon out for the entire family throughout half term.
Meat eaters can tuck into a delicious selection of savoury crumpets and smoked salmon potato cakes before snacking on mouthwatering cheesy sandwiches, or opt for a crispy chicken sandwich.
This spooky selection is the perfect afternoon tea to tuck into this half term. / Image: Grand Pacific
Vegetarians also have a tempting menu to choose from, with tofu sandwiches prepared and avocado potato cakes as a healthy alternative to the savoury version.
Of course, it wouldn't be an afternoon tea experience without a sweeter selection and the Grand Pacific have got a range of autumnal-themed cakes to choose from.
Pumpkin macaroons, s’mores inspired by the warm embers of a bonfire, cinnamon scones and lemon tarts in spooky shapes are all available in the afternoon tea selection.
The afternoon tea costs from £23 per person, but there are also some haunted Halloween cocktails on offer for an additional price.
If you thought it was impossible for a drink to give you a fright, think again. The bold blue cocktail available over Halloween has a remarkably realistic eyeball sweet hanging from the glass that's bound to give you goosebumps.
Can you spot the eyeball in this delicious cocktail? / Image: Grand Pacific
Of course, all of your favourite boozy beverages will be available from the bar, along with classics like the 'Posh Colada', made from Pineapple-Infused Rum & Coconut Ice Ball, and 'The Grand Pacific G&T' with Lychee & Lemongrass Infused Gin, Aperol, Yuzu Sake, Rose Water & Tonic.
For more information, visit the Queens Hotel website or pop into the Grand Pacific next time you're passing through the city centre.
A house that looks good enough for James Bond is set to be built on Ilkley Moor.
Is that a formation of angular grey rocks sitting atop of the Yorkshire dales? No, it's a house.
The wildly contemporary structure, which has huge irregular-shaped windows and a natural outdoor pool, is based off the famous Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
It will be built just down the road from them too, on green belt land which is the garden of a home off Heber's Ghyll Drive.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
It is the work of Harrogate-based architects Shaw & Jagger, who said the project was passed through the country house clause which allows things to be built on green belt for buildings of "exceptional quality".
The house itself has been named 'Fomorian', after a supernatural race of giants in Irish mythology. The name takes inspiration from the mythical giant Rombald who is said to have roamed on Ilkley Moor.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
Shaw & Jagger wrote: "The design approach was to propose a scheme that is intrinsically linked to the spirit of its place. Fomorian is of its place, part of the Moors, its geology and its spirit.
"We took cues from local folklore, the surrounding rocks; ancient carvings, standing stones and escarpments that are synonymous with the landscape.
"The building depicts a series of monolithic elements embedded in the earth as the wild, dramatic environment looms around, attempting to overcome them. The building is new, yet part of this ancient landscape.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
"Fomorian is to be built over the next couple of years and will provide family accommodation consisting of 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, sitting room and study.
"It was important to offer the client viable outside space therefore a paved courtyard garden allows external living to be within the heart of the plan. The abstract rock forms allow the design to have exciting internal spaces with large irregular windows designed to maximise views out across the valley."
Leeds railway station reopening delayed AGAIN due to problems with lift
Clementine Hall
The highly anticipated opening of Leeds City Station's new entrance has been further delayed.
The £46.1m Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway has been in the works since 2022, with the original target for completion set for autumn 2025.
That date subsequently slipped to summer 2026, then September, then October, and now...well who knows?
This time, Leeds City Council have confirmed that the problem is to do with the lifts that connect New Station Street and Bishopgate.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These lifts will allow the ever so turbulent taxi rank to move from the temporary arrangement at the rear of the station to its new home on Bishopgate Street.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said on the recent setback: "Having opened the pavement along Bishopgate Street and sections of New Station Street, unfortunately we have encountered an issue with one of the lifts, which is delaying essential safety testing from being completed.
"We are working to resolve this as soon as possible so we can open the final parts of the scheme imminently."
When it does finally open, there should be plenty to like. The scheme is designed to make the area around the station more pedestrian-friendly, with improved public space, wider walking routes, better cycling facilities, a new cycle hub and step-free access between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street.
The taxi rank will also move to Bishopgate Street, with a new shelter and kerbside boarding.
So, after years of barriers, diversions, temporary arrangements, engineering works and at least one deeply controversial letter (lest we forget 'Welcome to Leeps') the end is apparently in sight.
We'll keep you updated with any updates and opening date of the new station, but we wouldn't hold your breath if the last couple of months are anything to go by.
Sophie Smith -
20th October 2021 
