Latest news with #AinsleyHarriott
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular city centre cafe that starred in ITV show closes for good as owner reveals ‘we're devastated'
ITV-featured café where hot chocolate stole the show shuts after cost surge SHUTTING UP Popular city centre cafe that starred in ITV show closes for good as owner reveals 'we're devastated' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR city centre café that starred in an ITV food show has closed its doors for good, leaving loyal customers 'absolutely heartbroken'. Cocoa Joe's, located in York city centre, gained national attention in 2022 when it was featured in the early series of ITV's Ainsley's Good Mood Food. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Its appearance on national television only boosted its profile further Credit: Google Maps The café showcased its rich, handcrafted hot chocolates and welcoming atmosphere, earning praise during the episode. The programme, hosted by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, focuses on comfort food and uplifting recipes, with Cocoa Joe's selected as one of the standout stops for sweet treats. Speaking about the experience, co-owner Joe Andrew said: 'It was a real honour to be selected to be involved. "They could see how we are trying to do something really special here and enjoyed tasting the differences between our single origin chocolates and seeing how that carries through to create unique hot and iced chocolate drinks,' according to The Press. But despite its popularity, the business has now shut down due to rising costs. In a heartfelt post shared on Facebook, the team said: 'We have had four brilliant years of serving our finest hot chocolate drinks to the lovely York community and to customers from all over the world, but sadly (and we are devastated about this) we are no longer able to stay open. 'Cocoa prices have more than trebled in three years and other costs have gone up well beyond the rate of inflation, leaving us in a situation where the business simply can't keep going.' They added: 'This is not a decision that was made lightly, and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we have had over the past four years. "We are also hugely appreciative of the amazing team who have delivered on our goal to provide an incredible customer experience.' Cocoa Joe's quickly became a firm favourite in York, drawing in both locals and tourists with its luxurious drinks and welcoming vibe. Its appearance on national television only boosted its profile further. But the shock closure has sparked a wave of messages online, with customers expressing their sadness and sharing fond memories of their visits. Mandy Lotts wrote: 'It's sad to read that you're affected by everything that's going on.' Jasmin Johnson added: 'Absolutely heartbreaking. But thank you so much for the amazing drinks and service over the years. "You have always been my first stop on every visit to York.' Another loyal visitor, Paula Konefal, commented: 'Oh what a shame. I have enjoyed my many visits.' One customer said: 'So sorry to hear this — thank you for all your hard work — visiting your shop was always one of our highlights when we were in York.' Another wrote: 'Very sad to hear this. You folks were my favourite place to get hot chocolate in York.' While the York branch has shut, Cocoa Joe's location in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, will remain open for business. Customers can find more details on their website. The closure comes as small hospitality businesses across the country face mounting financial pressure. Independent cafés and shops have been hit hard by soaring costs, from ingredients and energy bills to rent and wages. According to Yorkshire Live, Cocoa Joe's is one of several independent businesses in the city to shut or scale back recently. Other closures include The Hairy Fig deli on Fossgate has closed, and Love Cheese on Gillygate has scaled back its services. Many fear more closures could follow unless something changes. Despite the challenges, customers are hoping Cocoa Joe's might one day make a return. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Popular city centre cafe that starred in ITV show closes for good as owner reveals ‘we're devastated'
A POPULAR city centre café that starred in an ITV food show has closed its doors for good, leaving loyal customers 'absolutely heartbroken'. Cocoa Joe's, located in York city centre, gained national attention in 2022 when it was featured in the early series of ITV's Ainsley's Good Mood Food. The café showcased its rich, handcrafted hot chocolates and welcoming atmosphere, earning praise during the episode. The programme, hosted by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, focuses on comfort food and uplifting recipes, with Cocoa Joe's selected as one of the standout stops for sweet treats. Speaking about the experience, co-owner Joe Andrew said: 'It was a real honour to be selected to be involved. "They could see how we are trying to do something really special here and enjoyed tasting the differences between our single origin chocolates and seeing how that carries through to create unique hot and iced chocolate drinks,' according to The Press. But despite its popularity, the business has now shut down due to rising costs. In a heartfelt post shared on Facebook, the team said: 'We have had four brilliant years of serving our finest hot chocolate drinks to the lovely York community and to customers from all over the world, but sadly (and we are devastated about this) we are no longer able to stay open. 'Cocoa prices have more than trebled in three years and other costs have gone up well beyond the rate of inflation, leaving us in a situation where the business simply can't keep going.' They added: 'This is not a decision that was made lightly, and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we have had over the past four years. "We are also hugely appreciative of the amazing team who have delivered on our goal to provide an incredible customer experience.' Cocoa Joe's quickly became a firm favourite in York, drawing in both locals and tourists with its luxurious drinks and welcoming vibe. Its appearance on national television only boosted its profile further. But the shock closure has sparked a wave of messages online, with customers expressing their sadness and sharing fond memories of their visits. Mandy Lotts wrote: 'It's sad to read that you're affected by everything that's going on.' Jasmin Johnson added: 'Absolutely heartbreaking. But thank you so much for the amazing drinks and service over the years. "You have always been my first stop on every visit to York.' Another loyal visitor, Paula Konefal, commented: 'Oh what a shame. I have enjoyed my many visits.' One customer said: 'So sorry to hear this — thank you for all your hard work — visiting your shop was always one of our highlights when we were in York.' Another wrote: 'Very sad to hear this. You folks were my favourite place to get hot chocolate in York.' While the York branch has shut, Cocoa Joe's location in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, will remain open for business. Customers can find more details on their website. The closure comes as small hospitality businesses across the country face mounting financial pressure. Independent cafés and shops have been hit hard by soaring costs, from ingredients and energy bills to rent and wages. According to Yorkshire Live, Cocoa Joe's is one of several independent businesses in the city to shut or scale back recently. Other closures include The Hairy Fig deli on Fossgate has closed, and Love Cheese on Gillygate has scaled back its services. Many fear more closures could follow unless something changes. Despite the challenges, customers are hoping Cocoa Joe's might one day make a return. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans 2
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TV host of classic 90s show has a very different career that's worlds away from her telly fame
CHANGING Rooms legend Anna Ryder Richardson swapped wallpaper samples for wild animals after leaving TV - and now runs her very own zoo. The telly favourite, once known for bold interior makeovers that divided the nation, has traded MDF and mood boards for meerkats and monkeys at her Welsh wildlife park. 6 6 She was the queen of the quick makeover - but these days Changing Rooms legend Anna Ryder Richardson is more at home with lemurs than living rooms. Anna shot to fame alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen transforming Britain's blandest lounges, until the hit BBC show ended in 2004. She first found her flair for interiors while working in a kids' furniture shop, before landing a design slot on GMTV in 1996. It was there she rubbed shoulders with celeb chef Ainsley Harriott - who helped her bag her big break on Changing Rooms. After 10 series of telly makeovers and power tool drama, Anna swapped wallpaper for welly boots and headed Down Under for I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2007, where she became the sixth star voted out of the jungle. But the jungle wasn't the wildest thing Anna would take on - as just a year later, the star made headlines by snapping up her very own zoo. Swapping scatter cushions for safari-style chaos, Anna bought the crumbling Manor House Wildlife Park in rural Pembrokeshire in 2008 with her ex-husband - and set out to turn it into a top tourist hotspot. Her rollercoaster mission was even turned into telly gold in Chaos at the Zoo, which followed the highs and lows of juggling animals, renovations and rogue rhinos. Since taking over, Anna has poured her heart (and serious cash) into the place - building a £300k rhino house and welcoming in new residents including lions, zebras and parrots. Owning a zoo might sound like a dream - but for Anna, it turned into a nightmare behind the scenes. Clueless star Twink Caplan resurfaces with her quirky charm for the first time in 5 years as 90s movie gets reboot Running Manor Wildlife Park put huge pressure on her marriage, and by 2017, the strain proved too much. The star and her husband called it quits, later telling the Mail Online that the 'stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage.' Things soon turned messy, with the split spiralling into a bitter legal battle over who would keep the zoo. Anna described the ordeal as a 'horrid limbo' as the once united animal lovers fought tooth and claw over the future of their wild empire. Hottest home trends for 2025 Renovations expert Andy Simms, from revealed the hottest interior design trends for this year. COLOUR DRENCHING Colour drenching involves using your colour across walls and ceilings to maximise the impact and create the illusion of a bigger space - doors, radiators, and even furniture won't escape the paint job if you want the full effect. Brown, terracotta, beige - once the preserve of the 70s, earthy colours have been slowly gaining popularity. Similarly, bold greens and blues are also making a return, with the intention of colour drenching rooms. STATEMENT WALLPAPER Wallpaper divides designers, with some loving it and others preferring painted walls. 2025 will see a resurgence of wallpaper, and the bolder the better. For small spaces, such as downstairs loos or studies, choose a bold print and ignore any concerns about making the space look smaller. For larger spaces, consider a stunning mural theme. BROKEN LIVING PLAN Open plan living has been popular for over a decade now, but while it hasn't quite had its day, many are returning to smaller, functional spaces - with a twist. 'Broken plan' is when a bigger space is cut into various parts using screens, archways, crittal-style windows and doors or textured glass. Speaking on the How To Be 60 podcast, Anna didn't hold back as she opened up about the fallout of her bitter split - and her unexpected new chapter. Chatting to Loose Women star Kaye Adams, the 61-year-old said: 'I am enjoying a bit of celibacy, to be honest... but we've dived straight in there, haven't we? I'm officially still married for another few weeks.' Reflecting on the turmoil of the past few years, she added: 'It's been probably the worst time, I think. It's actually been going on for such a long time. Have I wasted all that time? Being in this horrid limbo and control and not really living my life, even though I look like them.' But after a long and painful battle, October 2024 finally brought closure - and a new beginning - with Anna officially returning to the helm at Manor Wildlife Park, ready to roar once more. In a statement the former TV star said: 'I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park.' 6 6 6
