Latest news with #Leeds-based


Sunday World
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
‘The heart and soul of our family': Irishman (30) drowns in Canada
Stuart Doonan, originally from Drumquin, passed away on Friday Tributes have been paid to a young man from Co Tyrone who died in a drowning incident in Canada last week. Stuart Doonan, originally from Drumquin, passed away on Friday after getting into difficulty in water near where he was staying in Montreal. The 30-year-old's death has left his family and friends heartbroken prompting his loved ones to start an online memorial page to 'keep his memory alive'. In a statement posted on social media, his sister Stacey said: 'We are devastated about the circumstances surrounding his passing, as he tragically drowned near his accommodation in Montreal. 'Stuart was full of life and full of love, the heart and soul of our family and he will be sorely missed. 'We will give details of wake and funeral when we navigate the difficulties of getting Stuart home. Thank you to everyone for all their love and support, it is appreciated by all of the family.' Whilst funeral details have not yet been confirmed, a death notice describes Stuart as a 'dearly beloved son of David and Carol' and 'a devoted brother of Clara (John), Stacey (Will) and the late baby Andrew'. "A much-loved grandson of Robert and the late Florence and the late Tommy and Jennifer. A dear nephew and cousin,' it adds. Local communities across Ireland and Canada have expressed shock and sadness at the news. The online memorial states: 'Stuart was a wonderful person, and this page is a tribute from all those lucky enough to have met him. 'He will be sorely missed. From his warm and caring personality, to his infectious enthusiasm for music, right down to his bravery and sense of adventure in chasing his dreams, he was a true gem and an inspiration. 'There's so much to say about Stuart, and this page will only ever capture a handful of the thoughts and memories of him that we hold dear. 'To the Doonan family we give our love and condolences, and a glimpse into how much your Stuart meant to us. 'To Stuart - RIP, horse. We will never forget you x' Stuart Doonan. (Image: Armstrong Funeral Directors) News in 90 seconds - 16th June 2025 Leeds-based music promoter Bad Owl Presents paid an emotional tribute to Stuart who was a regular at their events before 'he recently moved away to follow his dream of living and working in Canada'. "We're extremely saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Stuart Doonan,' it posted online. "He brought an excitement and passion to our shows, was a huge advocate of the scene and always had a daft story to regale to us in between bands. "He will be very much missed and our thoughts go out to his friends and family. x"


Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘The heart and soul of our family': Co Tyrone man (30) drowns in Canada
Stuart Doonan, originally from Drumquin, passed away on Friday after getting into difficulty in water near where he was staying in Montreal. The 30-year-old's death has left his family and friends heartbroken prompting his loved ones to start an online memorial page to 'keep his memory alive'. In a statement posted on social media, his sister Stacey said: 'We are devastated about the circumstances surrounding his passing, as he tragically drowned near his accommodation in Montreal. 'Stuart was full of life and full of love, the heart and soul of our family and he will be sorely missed. 'We will give details of wake and funeral when we navigate the difficulties of getting Stuart home. Thank you to everyone for all their love and support, it is appreciated by all of the family.' Whilst funeral details have not yet been confirmed, a death notice describes Stuart as a 'dearly beloved son of David and Carol' and 'a devoted brother of Clara (John), Stacey (Will) and the late baby Andrew'. "A much-loved grandson of Robert and the late Florence and the late Tommy and Jennifer. A dear nephew and cousin,' it adds. Local communities across Ireland and Canada have expressed shock and sadness at the news. The online memorial states: 'Stuart was a wonderful person, and this page is a tribute from all those lucky enough to have met him. 'He will be sorely missed. From his warm and caring personality, to his infectious enthusiasm for music, right down to his bravery and sense of adventure in chasing his dreams, he was a true gem and an inspiration. 'There's so much to say about Stuart, and this page will only ever capture a handful of the thoughts and memories of him that we hold dear. 'To the Doonan family we give our love and condolences, and a glimpse into how much your Stuart meant to us. 'To Stuart - RIP, horse. We will never forget you x' Leeds-based music promoter Bad Owl Presents paid an emotional tribute to Stuart who was a regular at their events before 'he recently moved away to follow his dream of living and working in Canada'. "We're extremely saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Stuart Doonan,' it posted online. "He brought an excitement and passion to our shows, was a huge advocate of the scene and always had a daft story to regale to us in between bands. "He will be very much missed and our thoughts go out to his friends and family. x" Weekend News Catchup - 16th June 2025


Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Matilda cake' launches in Tesco but chocolate fans hesitate over price
A 24-layer sweet treat inspired by Bruce Bogtrotter's cake in the classic children's book and film, Matilda, was launched in Tesco recently, but many fans cannot get past the price Chocolate fans are buzzing after spotting a delicious chocolate cake that resembles the iconic cake from book and film Matilda. We all remember when Bruce Bogtrotter was caught stealing a slice of scary head teacher Miss Trunchbull's chocolate cake - and, as punishment, was forced to chomp through an entire 18-inch cake. The sweet treat has become well-known and many people have tried to recreate their own versions at home. But if you are not a great baker, or simply don't have the time or equipment, brands and bakeries have also recreated their own versions of the famous cake. Leeds-based bakery Baked released a 24-inch layered cake named Bertha in London's Fortnum Mason earlier this year. And now, Tesco has brought out a 'Matilda cake' that you can pick up in stores nationwide. However, some people are concerned about how much it costs. Created by Lancashire's Studio Bakery, it is a 24-layer chocolate treat featuring 'scrumptious all-butter sponge made with dark chocolate, layered and covered in luscious chocolate ganache,' according to Tesco's website. It is also said be "fantastic" when served hot, if you warm it up in the microwave for 30-40 seconds. Studio Bakery said: "Our chocolate Matilda cake is a 24-layer love letter to chocolate in all its fudgy, gooey glory. Every slice is hand-cut, hand-finished, and properly decadent, making it perfect for parties, birthdays, or a solo moment of glory with a spoon and zero regrets." The product is said to served 10 people, but many chocolate lovers cannot get past its £16 price tag. It comes after @johns_snackreviews on Instagram shared a post and said: "NEW Matilda Cake by the Studio Bakery! Out now at Tesco for £16!" "16 quid for cake! No ta," commented one. "£16. Is it worth that price?" added another. One other said: "Omg need, but £16?" Meanwhile, after @newsfoodspotteruk shared a video of the cake online, one commented: "Bruce Bogtrotter is on his way to Tesco." One other insisted it looks "unreal". The product is available online or in Tesco stores. Tesco has been contacted for a comment. In other food news, for everyone who's ever been disappointed by soggy sweet potato fries, a food influencer known as Pinch of Mint has got you covered with a special trick to ensure they come out irresistibly crispy. Plus, Jaffa Cake fans have issued a complaint after spotting a difference in taste of the iconic McVities treats. Will you be rushing to pick up a box of the viral cake? Comment below.


Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major supermarket launches dupe of viral Matilda chocolate cake for £4 less
We reveal how you can save money on your next shop at the major supermarket CHOC FULL Major supermarket launches dupe of viral Matilda chocolate cake for £4 less Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR UK supermarket has launched a dupe version of the viral Matilda chocolate cake for £4 less. Tesco has unveiled its own version of Get Baked's famous "Bertha" chocolate slice for £16. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Tesco has launched a dupe version of Get Baked's viral Matilda cake for £16 Credit: TESCO 2 Get Baked's "Bertha" slice sells for £20 on its website Credit: get-baked And the dessert comes in £4 cheaper than the Leeds-based company's £20 original slice. The Bertha cake, formerly known as Bruce and now with a tweaked recipe, has taken social media by storm since its launch. Instagram and TikTok videos of people trying the cake have notched up millions of likes. Now, Tesco shoppers can't get enough of the supermarket's own version, which launched this week. Instagram account newfoodspotteruk posted about the new £16 cake, with shoppers quick to comment. Some can't wait to give the supermarket's dupe a try, with one posting: "Running to Tesco for these." Another added: "This is actually the most exciting new food post I've ever seen oh my god." A third chipped in: "Get in I can't wait to get it." But not everyone is convinced by the new arrival, with one posting: "Get Baked UK does it better. Bertha supremacy." Meanwhile, another posted: "Pass, I'll stick to the original Bertha thanks." SAVE HUNDREDS AT TESCO Tesco said the Bertha chocolate cake dupe comes with 10 servings each containing 375 calories. It is available across 480 stores in the UK while shoppers can order it online too. The cake is a permanent addition. The cake is made up of 24 layers and made by Studio Bakery. OTHER TESCO NEWS Tesco recently sparked shopper fury after axing a dinner staple from shelves. The supermarket has discontinued eight packs of own-brand beef sausages. Customers were left equally miffed after finding out Southern Fried chicken flavour noodles were axed. Confused eaters took to social media to find out where the popular snack had gone. Writing in a Reddit thread one shopper said: "These are my go to quick food and my local Tesco has none on the shelf and they've disappeared off of the website too. "I'll be gutted if they've discontinued them." Another fan replied: "Probably, if you liked them, these stores always stop what people like." Meanwhile, Tesco customers have been taking to social media to reveal how they're getting free items by checking receipts. How to save money at Tesco EVERY little helps when it comes to saving money at Tesco. The Sun's Head of Consumer Tara Evans explains how you can save money at the UK's biggest supermarket. Clubcard points Tesco first launched it's loyalty scheme back in 1995. You get one point for every £1 you spend in store. If you spend points in store then 100 points is worth £1. You can spend your points via its reward partners and get triple and even sometimes quadruple the value. Extend Clubcard points You can find lost Clubvcard points and find the last two years of unused vouchers by logging into the Tesco Clubcard site. Clubcard prices If you don't have a Clubcard then you will miss out on its cheaper Clubcard prices. However, don't forget to check prices before you shop because it might not be cheaper than elsewhere, especially on big value items like washing powder and loo roll. Yellow stickers Shops do vary the time they reduce groceries with yellow stickers but Tesco tends to be between 7pm and 9pm. Save money if you shop online If you get your Tesco food shop delivered then it might be worth buying a delivery saver pass to help cut the cost of delivery fees. If you live near a Tesco then you can get click and collect slots of as little as 25p, so it might be cheaper than getting your food delivered. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories


Metro
05-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Temu helps UK local businesses boom, sparking a wave of community success
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Us Brits love a bargain, so it's no surprise that when direct-from-factory platform Temu landed on UK soil two years ago, shoppers flocked to it in their droves. With prices as low as £1.88 and an enormous range of items, including quite literally everything from tech accessories to trendy homeware, Temu quickly became the destination for budget-savvy Brits looking to spend less. What's really surprising about Temu's takeover though, is the unexpected boom it's sparked for small British businesses signed up to the site. One business, Leeds-based retailer Spot On-Line (SOL) known for its affordable home and craft supplies, saw daily sales surge from £200 to a whopping £1,500 in just four weeks after joining the e-commerce platform. That's a jaw-dropping increase of 650%! In fact, the company brought in £72,000 in gross revenue during its first full month on Temu, enough for the team to invest in a brand new distribution centre to keep up with the surge in demand. At a time when many small businesses are feeling the pressure from high inflation and cautious consumer spending post-Brexit and Covid, it's a real boost for the local area too. Marketplace Director at SOL, Spencer Saunders, said: '[It's] the strongest start we've had on any channel,' adding that it was great to see 'net sales take off and growth build so quickly.' The second SOL site will focus entirely on fulfilling online orders through Temu, which is expected to create new jobs in logistics and operations, and also offer more work for other businesses in the local supply chain. Known for its huge selection and ultra-low prices, Temu has quickly become one of the most downloaded apps in the UK, and it's making big waves in the world of online shopping. A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research says UK households could save up to £3,000 a year by shopping through platforms like Temu that cut out the middleman. In South London, a salsa group danced at a local festival with matching outfits and coordinated moves…without spending a fortune. They struggled with finding costumes that suited different body types within a budget. Then they found Temu. 'We didn't want the team to spend too much on their outfits for performances, but we still needed to look cohesive,' said Anh Vo, founder of the SASalsa dance group. 'I'm so glad we found something inexpensive that tied the whole routine together.' They're among millions across the UK turning to Temu for affordable everyday items. A recent Ipsos survey found shoppers in six countries (including the UK) saved an average of 24%, with over 70% saying they'd recommend it to others. 'Price remains a key purchasing driver, especially during tough economic times,' commented Wittmann, Managing Director of ibi research. Whether you're a local seller or a savvy shopper, it's pretty clear that Temu is a game-changer for both businesses and bargain hunters. With its unbeatable prices and wide range of products, it's not just revolutionising how we shop, but also helping local companies thrive in an increasingly challenging retail environment. Designated a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act in 2024, Temu is now subject to the EU's most stringent risk oversight rules. Its compliance system includes vetting all sellers, monitoring listings through technology and human review, and removing non-compliant products through a responsive takedown process. Temu also partners with top testing agencies like TÜV Rheinland and Eurofins to ensure product safety. The platform uses automated tools and a multilingual team to detect and remove intellectual property rights violations and maintains an online portal for brands to report infringements directly. Its app is certified under the MASA cybersecurity framework by DEKRA, the respected Germany testing agency. Temu's impact on the e-commerce industry has been widely recognized. It was named 'eCommerce of the Year' at Spain's eAwards 2025 and ranked among the top 10 platforms at the Ecommerce Italia Awards. In the U.S., USA TODAY included Temu in its 'America's Best Customer Service 2025' list. In Europe, the platform is winning over users. Ipsos found that 77% believe Temu delivers strong value, nearly 70% would recommend it to others, and 80% expect to maintain or increase their spending in 2025. The platform is also encouraging entrepreneurship. In the UK alone, 14% of local buyers say Temu has helped them start or grow a business. Many of these new ventures have already resulted in job creation and direct economic benefits to their communities. And, as the platform continues to grow, it looks like Temu will play an even bigger role in reshaping the future of British shopping. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: Dunelm's big homeware sale is here – with up to 50% off bedding, furniture and more MORE: Nobody's Child now has a whole page dedicated to dresses with pockets MORE: This skincare product completely transformed my skin – I get everyone to use it! Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.