Yorkshire Tea has teamed up with an award-winning kombucha brand to launch its very own take on the fermented drink.
Less than a decade ago, most people weren’t really that familiar with the phenomenon that is kombucha – a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, and a bacterial culture called a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) – but today, a walk around any local supermarket or health food store sees shelves stacked full of the fizzy beverage.
While kombucha may only have recently made its way onto the popular drinks market, it’s actually been around for nearly 2,000 years.
It was first brewed in China and then spread to Japan and Russia, before becoming popular in some European countries in the early 20th century, and then seeing sales in the UK and the US skyrocket from late 2000s onwards due to its reputation as a wellness drink.
Kombucha is often mixed with natural sugars and spices to create countless different flavours, with many people praising it for its health benefits.
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Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, and live culture / Credit: Rohtopia | Megumi Nachev (via Unsplash)
Given that kombucha could be considered one of the next big things on the UK drinks scene, Yorkshire Tea has decided to join forces with award-winning kombucha brand, HOLOS Komucha, to launch its very-own take on the fermented drink.
Coming in two different flavours, ‘Yorkshire Tea Kombucha’ is described as being a tangy and lightly-sparkling chilled drink with a gentle fermented kick.
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HOLOS has used its traditional small-batch brewing methods and all-natural ingredients within the process to create the two limited-edition drinks – with the ‘Original’ flavour said to highlight the “depth, complexity, and orange notes” of the classic tea beverage known and loved by millions of Brits nationwide, and the ‘Ginger’ flavour delivering “extra warmth and spice”.
“Being passionate about a proper brew also means caring deeply about its long-term future and innovation in tea is central to this,” explained Ben Newbury – Head of Marketing at Yorkshire Tea.
“We asked HOLOS to help us create something unique because they make some of the best kombucha around and because they share our values when it comes to trading responsibly, so we’re delighted with the resulting brew.
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“We hope it goes down well with consumers looking for something new and different and with Yorkshire Tea fans alike.”
Despite looking set to be a popular addition to the market – or at least a talked-about addition, if nothing else – Yorkshire Tea Kombucha is only in the trial phase at this moment in time, and you won’t actually be able to get your hands on it from shops and supermarkets anytime soon.
Both flavours will only be available to try at the London Coffee Festival on Thursday 20 – Saturday 23 April.
Other locations are “soon to be announced”, according to Yorkshire Tea and HOLOS.
Featured Image – Yorkshire Tea
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Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
18th April 2023 
