These Yorkshire businesses all announced closures in the last week as three new stores open

A Leeds business has blamed its upcoming unit closure on rising rent and declining sales.

Poppy’s Potting Shed, of Kirkstall, in Leeds, has announced the business will be taking a “temporary” break and closing this month, after opening its doors in 2021.

The business, which boasted to be “Leeds’ biggest house plant shop”, has announced on social media the reason behind the closure is rising rent cost and a reduction in sales leaving the owner, Anna Garbutt, “without choice”.

Clarks has confirmed it will close its Selby store in Gowthorpe on Saturday, September 14.

In a statement a spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at this stores, and we’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in York, Monks Cross and Wakefield.”

A popular business that attracted visitors from all over the country has closed its doors permanently after two years of operation, it has been announced.

Business owner, Emma Ashurst, from Harrogate, first had the idea for The Dogs Bakery and Cafe in early 2022, but after two years has blamed the cost of living crisis and the footfall dwindling for its closure.

“It’s a multitude of things really, but for me the main thing was the lack of footfall,” she said.

“I think people just don’t have the money, they’re spending it on more important things because at the end of the day, coming out, having a coffee or something to eat, buying treats is a luxury.

“When I decided to close it I was devastated, I couldn’t stop crying, I couldn’t speak to anyone, I couldn’t put any posts up on social media.”

However, with these closure, several businesses have confirmed they will be opening new stores, expanding or reopening after refurbishment.

A historic Holmfirth pub has reopened after a five-week closure and a £275,000 revamp.

The Shoulder of Mutton, on Dunford Road, in Holmfirth, has undergone a major refurbishment turning it from a “rundown” local into a new traditional pub, openin on Friday (Aug 29).

The refurbishment project has been carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and The Shoulder of Mutton’s new operators Yorkshire pub company TL Inns, who have 15 pubs across the region.

A new Aldi store is set to open in Middleton, in Leeds, with the Paralympic bronze medallist Jack Hunter-Spivey cutting the ribbon.

On Thursday (Sept 12), a new supermarket will open on St George’s Retail Park, replacing the existing Aldi store on Middleton Park Road.

To celebrate the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Aldi, the store’s manager, Rob Monteith and his team. will be joined by Paralympic bronze medallist Jack Hunter-Spivey to celebrate the store opening by cutting the ribbon. 

Lastly, Yorkshire Dental Suite announced the expansion of its cosmetic dentistry services with the opening of a fourth clinic in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Monday (Sept 2).

This is the fourth location for the brand in the region, adding to its practices in Leeds, York, and Hull.

Dr. Hassan Dalghous, co-owner of Yorkshire Dental Suite, shared his excitement about the clinic’s opening: “We are delighted to introduce our new clinic in Wakefield. This expansion underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the local community.”