Black Sheep Brewery has announced the success of its Burrow Blonde, a beer produced in honour of Leeds Rhino legend, Rob Burrow CBE.
Rob sadly passed away on Sunday 2 June at the age of just 41, following a four-and-a-half-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
The brewery have announced that the profits for the ‘Burrow’s Blonde’ have raised more than £20,000, with profits from June sales of the beer going straight to Rob’s charitable endeavours in his honour.
10p of every pint and bottle sold has been donated to the Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust and the Rob Burrow Racing Club, raising money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community.
Image: Black Sheep Brewery
Jo Theakston, Executive Director at Black Sheep Brewery, said: “It was an incredible honour to brew Rob’s own beer, Burrow’s Blonde, and to host Rob, Lindsey, and family at our brewery last year. The entire team here at Black Sheep is devastated; there was no one quite like Rob and he remains a hero to so many of our team in Masham.
“By donating all profits from sales of Burrow’s Blonde in June to Rob’s MND charities, we’re hoping to boost fundraising efforts in his memory. Alongside this, we look forward to the many fundraising events coming up throughout the year, and we will continue raising money for the MND community, in Rob’s name, for many years to come.”
Phil Hawthorne, the mastermind behind The Good Racing Co., said: “Rob will continue to inspire us all here at the Good Racing Co and we’re forever grateful to have worked alongside him, and his family, so closely to launch the Rob Burrow Racing Club.
“We’re thrilled to see Black Sheep Brewery has already raised £20,000 for a great cause and we strongly encourage Rob’s fans to raise a glass of Burrow’s Blonde for the man himself this June, with every pint supporting a fantastic cause.”
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
21st June 2024 
