Enzo Maresca will welcome the first wave of Manchester City players to start training on Monday ahead of the 2026/27 season

Enzo Maresca will meet the first wave of Manchester City players hoping to impress him as pre-season gets underway on Monday. The Italian, who has been officially in position since the beginning of the month, will begin to put his squad through their paces at the City Football Academy.

Given the World Cup has only just finished though, most will not be back in Manchester until later in the summer. That leaves Maresca with an intriguing group that will all have a point to prove, including a number of stars that were cast aside by Pep Guardiola during his time at the Etihad.

Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips, and Nico Gonzalez are among those who could move on but will be reporting back this week. Grealish may not take part in training depending on the severity of the injury that cut his loan at Everton short last season, but he is making progress as he looks to return to full fitness.

Savinho was close to joining Tottenham last year and that interest has been reignited, yet he also is a City player until he is not and was not at the World Cup. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Phil Foden will be looking to put their recent disappointments behind them and star for club and country again.

Pierce Charles and Mathys Detourbet have both gone straight out on loan after signing permanent deals with City and Elliot Anderson has been with the England squad, but new signing Jeremy Monga will be a fresh face for the squad. The exciting youngster knows Maresca already, having come through at Leicester where the manager spent a year in charge.

Adding to the squad will be a number of hopeful youngsters, some returning from loans and others without as much senior experience who are all hoping for a chance to shine. Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis could force his way into Maresca’s plans for the season, while Claudio Echeverri disappointed last year with two difficult loans.

Max Alleyne was recalled from his time at Watford to help Guardiola out of a crisis and will be with City until another loan is agreed, while goalkeeper Oli Whatmuff will work with City this month despite having already sorted a loan move to Stockport. Teenage winger Ryan McAidoo is among the academy players that should be given a chance to shine in pre-season.

Abdukodir Khusanov could be back this week given Uzbekistan were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage, and there will be several stars who were in the United States that will head out with City on their Asia tour. The Blues fly out next Tuesday on July 28 for three friendlies before returning to prepare for the Community Shield against Arsenal.

Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for 40th place at The Open

Rory McIlroy ended The Open in a tie for 40th position following a disappointing few days at Royal Birkdale, as New Zealand’s Ryan Fox secured his first major championship.

The Holywood golfer was unable to mount a challenge on the final day, having been on the back foot from the start. McIlroy picked up birdies at the second and sixth holes before dropping a shot at the par-three seventh.

Another birdie followed at the tenth, but a bogey at the 11th and a double bogey at the 17th derailed his progress. McIlroy salvaged a birdie at the 18th to card one-over for the day and finish one-under for the championship.

The 37-year-old collected €61,000 for his performance and conceded he was “stuck in neutral” throughout his four rounds at the Southport course. McIlroy now intends to belatedly celebrate his second consecutive Masters triumph from earlier this year with his family.

He said: “I was just sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.

“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. It was just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.

“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously I won the first major of the year and fell off a little bit after that – but any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.

“I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate that. Poppy’s got another four weeks off school until she goes back, so I’m just going to enjoy the summer holidays with her and Erica. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Fox, meanwhile, collected just shy of €2.8million after keeping his composure to birdie the final hole, securing victory by a solitary stroke. McIlroy concluded proceedings nine shots adrift of the champion, while Americans Cameron Young and Sam Burns claimed second and third place respectively.

World number one Scottie Scheffler and England’s Tommy Fleetwood shared fourth position.

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Some great choices to check out on the list this year

Five Belfast hotel restaurants have been named among the best in the UK.

OpenTable, one of the world’s leading providers of online restaurant reservations, has launched its Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in the UK list, as new research revealed that 40% of people in the UK have booked a hotel specifically because of its food offering.

The annual list, based on diner reviews and metrics, celebrates the spots changing perceptions of hotel dining across the country.

Bert’s Jazz Bar, The Great Room and The Cloth Ear, all at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, were named alongside Jospers at Ten Square and Wolff Grill at Titanic Hotel as the best hotel restaurants in Northern Ireland for 2026.

Here is what OpenTable said you can expect from each spot:

Bert’s Jazz Bar, The Merchant

Berts Jazz Bar encapsulates the sleek elegance of the art deco era, complimented by the very best in live jazz, fabulous cocktails and mouth-watering food. Transport yourself back to the Art Deco glamour of 1930’s New York and the Jazz Age in Belfast’s only dedicated Jazz bar and restaurant: Berts Bar at The Merchant Hotel. Soak up the sophisticated atmosphere and let the cool jazz melodies wash over you.

A handpicked list of cocktails completes the extensive drinks selection. A French bistro style menu is complemented by an extensive wine list and, of course, exemplary service. Berts offers live jazz seven nights a week.

Jospers, Ten Square

Discover exceptional dining right here at Ten Square, where Jospers Restaurant brings the flavours of Northern Ireland to your plate, all day, every day.

We proudly champion the very best of local produce, working with passionate Northern Irish suppliers to ensure that every dish we serve reflects the quality, freshness, and heritage of our region. Our meat is sourced exclusively from the award-winning McAtamney Butchers in Ballymena, with full field-to-fork traceability, while our sustainable fish and vegetarian options ensure there’s something delicious for everyone—vegan guests included.

Whether you’re joining us for a relaxed lunch, a romantic dinner, or simply drinks and light bites, Jospers is the must-visit restaurant in the heart of Belfast.

Wolff Grill, Titanic Hotel

Winner of ‘Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ for Ulster and All Ireland at the Irish Hotel Awards 2024. The Wolff Grill, every visit promises a refined yet casual dining experience in an intimate and relaxed bistro setting. Indulge in luxury dining with our carefully crafted menu, perfect for romantic dinners, family-friendly lunches, or business gatherings. Savour the finest cuts of meat during our steak night or explore our diverse offerings, including gluten-free options and vegan delights. Whether you’re joining us for a pre-theatre bite or a leisurely weeknight dinner, you can elevate every dining experience with us. Immerse yourself in romance at one of Belfast’s most enchanting dining destinations, where waterfront views and our Titanic connection create an ambience like no other. Our locally sourced ingredients pay homage to Northern Ireland’s flavours.

The Cloth Ear, The Merchant

The Cloth Ear provides patrons with a pleasing twist on the quintessential Irish Pub. We are nestled in the oldest quarter of Belfast and we’ve woven a rich seam of our wonderful Victorian heritage into what is ultimately a thoroughly modern experience. At The Cloth Ear the welcome is warm and the atmosphere lively. An inventive drinks list combines classic creations and innovative ideas to quench your thirst, tickle your tastebuds and get the conversation flowing. Our cleverly curated food offering changes regularly to reflect the very best in seasonal, local produce.

The Great Room Restaurant, The Merchant

The Great Room Restaurant is undoubtedly one of Northern Ireland’s most extraordinary restaurants. Thanks to the remarkable original Victorian interior with its glass cupola, Ireland’s largest chandelier an array of plasterwork detailing, the space is second to none.

Needless to say our chefs search tirelessly to bring the finest seasonal ingredients together in eloquent dishes in thoughtfully prepared menus, just one of the reasons The Great Room Restaurant was awarded 2 AA Rosettes. All this is complemented by expert service and a wine list to which all the superlatives apply!

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As Shakira performed in the halftime show, viewers at home praised the superstar as she welcomed Ugandan triplets Ghetto Kids to her set.

One user wrote: “Our own Triplets Ghetto Kids have given their performance at the World Cup halftime show. Uganda is proud.”

Another added: “Shakira shaking it up with Ugandas Ghetto kids does it for me. We may not played the soccer, but we danced on the same field of #Fifaworldcup2026”

The group have gone from the streets of Uganda to sharing a stage with Shakira. The Ghetto Kids are a group of Ugandan children led by Kavuma Dauda, with several generations of the kids being in the group. They have all been children from underprivileged backgrounds that live, learn and dance together.

They first became famous in 2014, when they uploaded a video of their dance moves to the song “Sitya Loss”. In 2016, they appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.After Shakira watched a video of them dancing to “Dai Dai”, the song of the 2026 World Cup, she invited them to be in the half time show of the Final.

Human remains have been found in the hunt for a woman who vanished six years ago after her husband confessed from his jail cell to killing her and hiding her body.  

In a case that has gripped France since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cedric Jubillar, 38, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in October for murdering Delphine Jubillar, 33.

Her body was never found and Jubillar had always maintained his innocence, including during the trial.

But in a dramatic U-turn earlier this month ahead of his appeal trial, Jubillar confessed to his involvement for the first time. 

He also pledged to lead investigators to where he concealed his wife’s body, according to his legal team.

This led to an intense two-day search on agricultural land in Mailhoc, Tarn, southern France last week – some 10km from the couple’s former home.

Human remains were found there and they have now been confirmed to belong to Delphine after DNA analysis, said Toulouse prosecutor Nicolas Jacquet.

The victim’s body was likely scattered accidentally during agricultural work.

Pierre Debuisson, one of the new lawyers representing Cedric Jubillar, told the media that after five years of denying his involvement in the crime, Jubillar has admitted to murdering his wife

Jubillar was convicted on the basis of a string of corroborating evidence despite the lack of a body or any DNA evidence linking him to the crime, making the case one of the most puzzling in modern French legal history.

The trial heard that Delphine, who was a nurse, had asked for a divorce and had wanted to start a new life with another man.

The couple had two children whose lawyers hope can now find some closure after their father’s confession.

Commentators have suggested Cedric Jubillar is looking to change his strategy ahead of his appeal trial by admitting to killing Delphine but portraying it as an accident during a domestic dispute, in the hope of being given a lesser sentence.

Earlier this month, Cedric’s lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, told a news conference that his client was ready to ‘cooperate fully with the judicial authorities’ and tell investigators where the body is located after hiding the corpse on the night of December 15 to 16, 2020. 

He expressed hope that Jubillar’s move will allow their two young children to ‘grieve and give Delphine a proper burial’, adding his client ‘clearly regrets’ his actions. ‘It was the worst thing he did in his life,’ the lawyer added. 

However it remains unclear how Delphine Jubillar was killed.

Cedric’s legal team now believe it is impossible that the appeal trial can take place as scheduled in September, as their client will need to be re-interrogated and searches for the body take place.

Delphine went missing in rural southern France at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic but her body was never found 

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A team of divers of the French Gendarmerie inspect the L’Endrevie body of water in Blaye-les-Mines, southern France on December 22, 2020, as they search for Delphine Jubillar

Debuisson said Jubillar would give further details when interrogated.  

Jurors came to the conclusion that Jubillar murdered Delphine in a fit of rage after she asked for a divorce while having an affair with another man, despite some earlier claims made in court that he was the victim of overenthusiastic investigators.

‘We are relieved for the children,’ said Malika Chmani, lawyer for the two young children.

‘Now it is important that he tell us where the body is. I believe that is what will happen – at any rate, that is what we hope for,’ she added. 

On the morning of her disappearance, Jubillar called the police at 4am claiming she had gone out to walk their dogs and had never returned. But nobody saw her leave, and no evidence ever supported that claim.

A massive manhunt ensued with over 1000 people searching the vast countryside while divers checked nearby rivers for any evidence of what might have happened to Delphine. 

Chief prosecutor Pierre Aurignac said in his closing plea at the trial: ‘To defend the idea of Mr Jubillar’s innocence requires dismissing four experts, silencing 19 witnesses and killing the sniffer dog.’

The jury were told by prosecutors that although there was ‘no body and no blood’, there was ‘no plausible alternative either’.

‘No matter how you look at this case, you come to the same conclusion – guilt,’ said Mr Aurignac.

Emmanuelle Franck, Jubillar’s lawyer, told jurors, per the Daily Telegraph: ‘We have created a criminal to explain a crime. 

‘This is a castle of sand. When you cannot prove, you imagine. When you cannot find, you invent.’ 

The most damning evidence of Jubillar’s crime came from the testimony from his relatives, including his mother, Nadine. 

She told the court she regretted not taking her son seriously when he said: ‘I’m fed up, she annoys me, I’m going to kill her, I’m going to bury her, no one will find her.’

A letter written by the couple’s son read aloud to the court accused Jubillar of mistreating both his mother and himself.

He described being beaten, humiliated and belittled, and said he believed his father ‘did something bad’ to his mother.

The child also revealed that he had witnessed the couple arguing the night of her disappearance and they discussed their separation.

In his final sentence in court Jubillar simply said: ‘I have done absolutely nothing to Delphine.’

By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 23:52 BST, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 03:05 BST, 20 July 2026

A heartbroken Lionel Messi burst into tears on the pitch after collecting his runners-up medal in what will almost certainly be his final ever World Cup appearance.

The Argentina captain – who spent most of his career playing in Barcelona – was ineffectual against Spain in the New Jersey showdown as his team failed to find the net in 120 minutes.

The tournament in America was almost certainly Messi’s final international bow, and his emotional full-time reaction went some way to confirming that.

When the final whistle blew, he dropped to the ground and held his hands to his face, inconsolable by his teammates and opponents alike.

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After gathering himself to collect his runners-up medal from Donald Trump, the emotions of the moment became too much for the sport’s greatest-of-all-time as he burst into tears just before Spain lifted the trophy.

Messi’s career will continue with Inter Miami but he is unlikely to play at the highest level again for his country, given he will be 43 when the next World Cup takes place.

Lionel Messi let the tears flow just moments after collecting his World Cup runners-up medal

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At the end of what was likely his last World Cup game, Messi appeared inconsolable

In a heartbreaking scene, he sat alone on the turf at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium

Messi was appearing in his third World Cup final, four years after he lifted the trophy for his country in Qatar.

His first time in the biggest game of them all came in 2014 in Brazil, when he and his countrymen were beaten in extra-time by Germany.

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It was the same result for the heartbroken Messi on Sunday, as Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game deep into the additional 30-minute period.

In the game itself, Messi struggled to make an impact against the country he knows so well, barely getting a kick against the likes of Lamine Yamal and Co.

As an estimated 1.7 billion people watched on from around the world, waiting for Messi to produce the magic we so often see from him, he struggled to find the pace of the game and could not help his team to victory.

Messi sits on the grass at MetLife and watches Spain’s players celebrate their triumph

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It is unlikely football fans will ever see the great man grace the World Cup stage ever again

Eric Garcia hugs Messi on the pitch at the end of a hard-fought 1-0 Spain win in New Jersey

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How should Messi’s World Cup legacy be remembered after this emotional farewell?

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After collecting his losers’ medal from Trump, he stood in front of the Argentina fans inside the stadium, letting the emotion pour out of him.

On X, one fan wrote of the moment: ‘You aren’t a football fan if you don’t feel sad for Messi.’

A second added: ‘Thanks for everything you put into this game. You’ll always be the best.’

A third, meanwhile, said: ‘Damn, the greatest of all time. The best to ever do it.’ 

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Lamine Yamal isn’t the only member of his family captivating audiences around the world.

The 19-year-old Spanish forward’s three-year-old half-brother Keyne has been a breakout star of the World Cup and went viral again on Sunday with his post-game celebration following the 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final.

Dressed in a replica Spain jersey with his brother’s No. 19 and his own first name emblazoned on the back, Keyne darted onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium, where he then ran straight into his older brother’s arms.

Yamal was all too happy to accept a hug from Keyne and quickly lifted his younger brother into the air before gently placing him back down on the field and putting a red ‘Lamine’ baseball hat on the toddler’s head.

And that wasn’t the only hat Keyne tried on while roaming around the MetLife pitch on Sunday. A New Jersey State Trooper couldn’t help but remove his cap to briefly share with Keyne, who tried it on before politely returning it to the officer.

For Keyne, it was one of the final moments of a memorable World Cup run that included several appearances on stadium scoreboards, not to mention dozens of wire photos that were picked up by news outlets around the world. Keyne even managed to score a goal on his brother’s teammate, Nico Williams, during some pre-game warmups. 

Keyne was all smiles when he finally caught up to his big brother, Yamal, after Sunday’s win

Keyne, 3, gestures on the field at MetLife Stadium after seeing his brother win Sunday’s final

Lamine Yamal puts the World Cup trophy into his younger brother Keyne’s arms on Sunday

Keyne is seen dancing near a giant replica of the World Cup trophy on Sunday 

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Yamal and his brother Keyne bump fists alongside the World Cup trophy on Sunday 

‘This time around, the biggest sensation of the competition isn’t an athlete, the goals, or even the trophy itself,’ was how Hola! – Spain’s version of Hello! magazine – put it earlier this month. ‘It’s Keyne, Lamine Yamal’s three-year-old brother, who’s taking the tournament by storm with his hilarious moments.’

Standing just a few feet tall, Keyne has rapidly become an internet sensation. The toddler has melted hearts throughout Spain’s run, endearing himself to supporters across the world.

Elsewhere in the media, he has been dubbed ‘the star of the 2026 World Cup,’ ‘Spain’s superstar in the stands’ and ‘the most beloved personality of the tournament’.

Keyne’s popularity reached fever pitch after Spain’s quarter-final victory over Belgium, when television cameras cut to the three-year-old waving and smiling at his brother from the stands.

Lamine Yamal and his mother Sheila Ebana attempt to hand the trophy to young Keyne 

At just 3, Keyne appears to already have one World Cup victory under his belt 

Keyne was given a piece of the goal’s net, which he used to entertain a state trooper

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A New Jersey state trooper couldn’t help but share his hat with Keyne, who tried it on 

Keyne was a man of many hats on Sunday, including this offering from a state trooper 

Yamal dropped a new baseball hat on his brother’s head after Sunday’s victory 

Down on the pitch, Yamal burst into laughter after spotting Keyne sticking out his tongue on the stadium’s giant screens. Images of the youngster’s antics were soon circulating across social media.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Yamal revealed his brother had warned him about his plans the day before, making the moment even funnier.

‘I was at physio and he called me, using my mum’s phone, and told me that he was going to stick his tongue out tomorrow,’ the right-winger explained. ‘So that’s why when I saw him on the screen, it really made me laugh.’

Born in September 2022, Keyne is the son of Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana. Although the pair do not share the same father, the Barcelona star spoke glowingly about their bond after being named player of the match in Spain’s round-of-32 victory last Thursday.

‘I’m moved when I see my little brother this happy, as well as seeing my mum and friends living the life they always dreamed of,’ he said.

‘My little brother means everything to me. I am in love with him; it feels like he is my son.’

Keyne wasn’t happy to just watch Sunday’s World Cup final, and instead got some practice in

Keyne impresses onlookers at MetLife Stadium with some fancy footwork  

For those who have followed Yamal’s rise closely, Keyne’s presence is nothing new. The footballer regularly shares videos of them doing TikTok dances together, while clips of the pair playing with a football on the pitch during Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations last season also went viral.

There is footage of Keyne singing the Barcelona anthem at home and cheering his brother’s name. He has been filmed joking around with Barca’s giant mascot, Cat, and spending time with Yamal’s close friend and Spain team-mate Nico Williams after a La Liga match between Barcelona and Athletic Club. Yamal also recently shared a video of him and his mum walking down the street together, behind Keyne driving a Mercedes electric kids car.

When Yamal gave a tour of his former Barcelona flat at the end of last year, he proudly showed viewers a small statuette depicting him squatting and said it was Keyne’s ‘favourite thing in my house’. The figure references the traditional Catalan caganer – typically hidden within Nativity scenes and portrayed relieving itself outside the stable – and Keyne appears especially delighted that his older brother has his own version.

Keyne took a quick breather during Sunday’s festivities before getting his second wind 

Keyne is joined by another Spanish supporter on Sunday in East Rutherford, New jersey 

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Yamal, who brought Keyne with him to the Ballon d’Or ceremony, has previously spoken about wanting to give his younger brother the childhood he never had. The winger has made his famous ‘304’ celebration – a reference to the postcode of Rocafonda, one of Catalonia’s most deprived neighborhoods where he grew up – a symbol of his identity and a nod to his roots.

‘My mom had me when she was 16 – now that’s real pressure,’ he told Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER. ‘Then my dad had to go out and make a living, scavenging on the streets to bring food home. That’s pressure. All I have to do is play and keep the Spanish fans happy.’

‘I came from an apartment where the kitchen and bedroom were in the same place,’ he said on a podcast last year. ‘So I see my mother happy, I see that my brother can have the kind of childhood I would have wanted, and that’s what makes me happiest.’

Keyne is also a familiar face on his mother’s Instagram profile, appearing in sponsored posts, including a recent promotion for a sushi restaurant in Premià de Mar, a coastal town near Barcelona.

‘Sunday, sushi and good company,’ she wrote on Instagram.

Keyne and Yamal are pictured with their mother Sheila Ebana after Spain’s Euros win in 2024

This photo taken in 2007 shows a 20-year-old Lionel Messi helping to bathe Lamine Yamal, who was merely six months old at the time. Yamal’s mother Sheila Ebana is also pictured

Ebana’s eldest son also has some memorable photos from his youth, including one famously taken alongside then-Barcelona star Lionel Messi in 2007.

Yamal’s parents, including his Morocco-born father Mounir Nasraoui, entered a raffle run by Catalan newspaper Sport with winners getting photos taken of their baby with a Barcelona player.

Yamal’s family famously won and was paired with Messi.

In the shoot, Messi bathed the five-month-old Yamal and then held him, wrapped in a towel.

That picture, it was crazy,’ Messi said Friday. ‘Him as a baby, and now we are facing each other. What a crazy picture.’

Who knows, if the 39-year-old Messi can hang on a bit longer, perhaps he can face off with the family’s other viral star, Keyne, someday.

The production of Made in Dagenham – The Musical will be staged by the New Garrett Theatre in Atherton and tells the true story of Ford sewing machinists who went on strike in 1968.

Their fight for equal pay changed history and it is their story that will be celebrated by the theatre group.

Leading lady Amy Gaskell, who plays Rita O’Grady, said: “It’s a show that everyone should see at least once in their lives, a true feel-good story with so much heart to it.

“It’ll stick with you forever.”

Leading lady Amy Gaskell plays Rita O’Grady (Image: New Garrett Theatre)

Made in Dagenham tells the story of a group of women workers at a Ford plant in the Essex town who went on strike in 1968 in protest against discriminatory pay.

The strike they led gained national and worldwide attention and would ultimately help pave the way to the Equal Pay Act of 1970.

The act outlawed less favourable treatment between men and women in terms of pay, employment and conditions.

The theatre group say its production is packed with memorable songs, humour and “sheer girl power.”

Some of the cast of Made in Dagenham – The Musical (Image: New Garrett Theatre)

They describe Made in Dagenham as “more than just a musical, it’s a celebration of the courage, determination and the power of ordinary women who achieved extraordinary things.”

The cast will be made up of talented people from across the local area with an age range spanning from 13 all the way to 80.

The New Garrett Theatre is a local community theatre group that has built a strong reputation for delivering award-winning, high-quality productions.

The theatre welcomes performers aged 11 and over from all backgrounds.

They say they work hard to play a vital role in Atherton’s cultural life, providing its members with opportunities to flourish onstage and audiences with memorable experiences.

Made in Dagenham – The Musical will be staged at 7.15pm from Wednesday July 22 to Saturday July 25 at St Mary’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College on Manchester Road Astley.

Tickets can be booked online at tntg.co.uk.

Tucked away on the High Street in Pateley Bridge, one of North Yorkshire’s most picturesque towns, The Oldest Sweet Shop in England has been trading continuously since 1827.

The business, which was officially recognised by Guinness World Records in 2014, is housed in a Grade II listed building dating back to 1661.

The shop has now been featured by The Yorkshireman page, which features different pubs, bars, cafes, and beauty spots in the region, and described it as “a traditional sweetshop that transports you back in time”.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in England, Pateley Bridge (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

The site said: “Shelves stacked with jars of traditional sweets, wooden fittings that have barely been changed in more than 200 years and a smell that transports you back to childhood.”

It added that, with nearly two centuries of expertise, the shop has “unrivalled expertise in confectionery” and gives visitors a “ye olde vibe”.

The Pateley Bridge shop originally opened in 1827 as a grocer before becoming the sweet shop known today.

Inside, visitors will find jar after jar of traditional sweets, including pear drops, dolly mixture, midget gems, fruit bonbons, rhubarb and custards, mint humbugs, Everton mints, Yorkshire mixture, lemon sherbets and Pontefract cakes.

The Yorkshireman described the shop as “a treasure trove of all things sugary”, adding that it carries hundreds of varieties of confectionery that cannot be found in many other places.

Many of the sweets are still made using traditional methods, boiled in copper pans and shaped with moulds, some of which are more than a century old.

Upstairs, visitors can also explore a small museum dedicated to the history of confectionery, with vintage sweet jars, chocolate moulds, old packaging and nostalgic advertising telling the story of Britain’s favourite treats through the decades.

The shop has attracted national and international attention over the years.

It has appeared on television with Paul Hollywood, Nigel Slater, Alan Titchmarsh and Robbie Coltrane, as well as featuring on programmes including BBC Breakfast and Yorkshire: Great and Small.

Its reputation has also been recognised by publications including National Geographic, The Times, The Guardian and Good Food Magazine.

Despite that attention, the shop remains closely tied to Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale.

The Yorkshireman described it as “the perfect excuse to visit the idyllic spot”, noting that Pateley Bridge sits in the heart of Nidderdale National Landscape and is a good starting point for walks nearby.

The shop front of the sweet shop in Pateley Bridge (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The site added: “The traditional shop attracts tourists by the busload, with many flocking to Pateley Bridge every single year just to buy a bag of sweets.”

Visitors have also praised the shop’s nostalgic feel.

One Tripadvisor reviewer said: “A lovely old shop with ‘old-fashioned’ sweets that children born in the 1960s and onwards will fondly remember.

“Luckily, there are still shops selling sweets from yesteryear.”

Another wrote: “Sherbet pips and jazzies, need I say more? Jars for all tastes and desires, loved the shop.”

Others have highlighted the atmosphere as much as the confectionery itself.

One visitor said: “Old and dusty it might be, but it has atmosphere. Great selection. Worth a visit.”

Another described it simply as: “A sweet experience, all the old favourites and many I’ve not seen for years.”

The shop also has an original pre-decimal cash till, once used for pounds, shillings and pence, adding to its sense of authenticity.

Earlier this year, the business changed hands to a new owner, aged just 23, who The Yorkshireman said is “full of passion to retain the shop’s heritage”.

For visitors to Nidderdale, the shop remains one of Pateley Bridge’s best-known attractions.

It aims to make it ‘easier’ for customers to donate to charity shops

Delivery service Evri has announced it is making a major change across 12,500 ParcelShops and lockers to make it “easier” for customers to donate to charity shops.

With charity shops facing mounting pressures, Evri has revealed a new initiative to encourage more people to donate to charity shops. In partnership with disability equality charity Scope, Evri said it is creating a nationwide donation-by-post service that will allow people to donate unwanted belongings to charity without having to actually visit a store.

This means shoppers will now be able to send their pre-loved items directly to Scope, free of charge, via more than 12,500 Evri ParcelShops and lockers across the UK. These locations can be found in Post Office branches and Asda stores, as well as at thousands of brand new Evri lockers.

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The initiative comes after research showed 46% of people are more likely to donate to charity if they can use parcel lockers

Jonathan Bennett, Director of Marketing at Evri Group, said: “Charity shops are an important part of our high streets and communities, but like all retailers they need new ways to attract stock and engage supporters.

“Through our partnership with Scope we’re making donating easier than ever, whether that’s through free drop-offs at more than 12,500 locations nationwide or the UK’s first charity shop parcel locker. By combining convenience, accessibility and innovation, we’re helping more pre-loved items find a second life while supporting Scope’s vital work for disabled people.”

Debbie Boylen, Head of Retail at disability equality charity Scope, added: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Scope. Evri has been so generous with their fundraising and these new developments are set to help us raise even more funds.

“The impact of this will be so far-reaching. Every pound we raise can help fund a minute’s call on our free helpline with the average call lasting 15 minutes. Disabled people can receive expert guidance and advice, so your quality donations are vital.

“Their vast network of drop off locations means so many more people have the opportunity to donate to Scope at a time and location convenient to them, 24 hours a day. It also means Evri’s customers have an opportunity to help us remove the barriers disabled people face, every day.

“Life costs more for disabled people, who need an extra £1,095 each month on average, just to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. As prices are ramping up across the board, many are finding themselves pushed to the brink and are contacting our free helpline for vital support and guidance.

“We know donating money isn’t always possible. But giving good-quality clothes through Evri is free and easy. It’s a simple way to clear out your wardrobe and help us to break down barriers and create a fairer society with disabled people.”

In a further boost for charity retail, Evri also said it will install what is believed to be the UK’s first parcel locker inside a charity shop. This will be located in Scope’s Doncaster store and is aimed at increasing footfall and creating additional reasons for shoppers to visit charity shops.

How to donate to Scope via an Evri parcel locker

1. Visit Evri.com/Scope to create a free parcel label
2. Package items using Evri’s guidance
3. Print the label and drop off at a ParcelShop or locker

Items will then be processed and distributed into Scope’s retail network and will be sold to raise money for the charity’s work.