The Living Room is an eye-catching addition to the city centre

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A new coffee shop that pledges to make a difference to the community has sprung up in Hull city centre. The Living Room serves breakfasts, lunches, sandwiches, fresh bakes, and coffees.

Based in Jubilee Central in King Edward Street, the coffee shop has been thoughtfully decorated with a modern twist on 1970s colour palletes – think lots of earthy browns and oranges. It felt very clean and very cosy.

Jubilee Central is a charity helping long-term unemployed people back into employment, and revenue from the coffee shop is hoped to support its ongoing work. Those who fondly remember Hull restaurant The Hispanist will be happy to hear its owner, award-winning chef Nick Hill, has joined the kitchens of The Living Room.

You can sit where you like – sofas beside the floor-to-ceiling front windows are particularly inviting – then you make a note of your table number and order at the counter. I picked avocado on toast and a decaf latte.

It was not long before my latte arrived. It was served beautifully with just the right level of milky froth. Those who are vegan or dairy-free can choose from milk alternatives of coconut, oat, or soya.

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The flavour was lovely, quite light, but still with that toasted coffee bean warmth. The only way I could tell it was definitely decaf was due to my heart not leaping about.

Next up came the avocado on toast. This was described on the menu as “avocado with whipped ricotta, hot honey, and sesame house mix”. The menu said there was also a gluten-free and a vegan option.

I’ve never had whipped ricotta before, so I was not sure what to expect. To be honest, it wasn’t for me, but I found the bread underneath was really very special. According to the menu, I was eating ‘Luke’s Bakery sourdough country loaf’.

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It had a beautiful, slightly nutty taste. The texture was like ‘real bread’ rather than the slightly elastic stuff you find on a supermarket shelf.

The sourdough I would definitely order again, but if picking avocado on toast I would forgo the ricotta and the honey combination. I think my preference would have been for a more curd-like cheese with a stronger flavour, perhaps feta.

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The avocados seemed very fresh, but were a little overpowered by the honey dressing.

I didn’t quite have room for a slice of chocolate mousse cake, although it did look wickedly decadent. I would visit The Living Room again, and look forward to trying something else.

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John Cartwright gives honest answer on Hull FC recruitment, Nathan Cleary rumour, and makes Richie Myler point.

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John Cartwright has questioned Hull FC’s inability to strengthen the squad in the face of their injury crisis this year and says he doesn’t know why any of the players identified have not been brought in.

In an extraordinary press conference this Monday afternoon, Cartwright stated he feels ‘betrayed and disrespected’ after the decision was taken by the club to remove him as head coach at the end of the season.

A club statement last Tuesday said that Cartwright will remain in charge until then, with the Australian coach answering everything honestly and thoroughly when facing the media for the first time since his incoming exit was confirmed.

Asked about the lack of recruitment since the exit of Liam Knight and season-ending injury to Will Pryce, with cap dispensation understood to be applied for and a quota spot opening up, Cartwright stated that a total of eight players have been identified. However, for ‘one reason or another’ they haven’t been acted upon, with the coach suggesting that the question is one for CEO Richie Myler to answer.

“We’ve been trying,” Cartwright said when asked for a recruitment update. “We’ve gone through coaches and we’ve tried to assess everyone available in England and in the Queensland Cup.

“We found eight players who we thought could do a job, and for whatever reason, it hasn’t been acted upon.

“We desperately need players. We knew we needed one when Liam was going. He was a big body and we knew Herman would be out for a while. We’re a long time through the season without having any backup. That’s probably a question for the CEO.”

Cartwright was also insistent that the recruitment search is ongoing despite last week’s news. He said: “We are looking. Recruitment never stops. I’ve said that before and we are constantly looking at players in the NRL and in the Super League.

“Loans are always an option. It’s probably something we are going to have to look at. Just to get two teams to be able to train together.”

The Hull coach also dismissed any approach for Nathan Cleary, with Fox Sports reporting after a tip-off from former Black and Whites star Garry Schofield that the club put a million-pound-a-season, four-year offer in for the Penrith Panthers superstar.

Asked if there was any truth in that report, Cartwright added: “No. Not that I’m aware of.”

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Family show will be ‘a theatrical treat for all ages’

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A stage adaptation of one of the best known and best loved children’s picture books is heading for Hull. Zog, based on the work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, will appear at Hull Truck Theatre from June 4 to 7.

The show will bring the enthusiastic young dragon to life with songs, puppetry and playful storytelling for families with children aged three-plus. Created by Freckle Productions in association with Rose Theatre, the touring play is described as “a theatrical treat for all ages”.

First staged in 2020, Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Zog has become a family favourite, delighting young audiences with its mix of live music, puppetry, and laugh-out-loud storytelling. With joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe, puppets designed by Little Angel Theatre, and direction by Ryan McBryde that brings Donaldson and Scheffler’s world vividly to life, Zog is “I’m not braggin’ but I’m a dragon”.

Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He’s also the most accident-prone, flying into trees, and even setting his own wing alight. Thankfully, a kind girl comes along to patch up his scratches and scrapes – but can she help him with his biggest challenge yet, so that he can finally win a golden star?

Zog will be brought to life by a talented cast. Jennifer Sutherland, executive producer at Freckle Productions, said: “At Freckle we love bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s stories to life on stage, and Zog has been a joy to share with families over the years.

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“Following the 15th anniversary of the book in 2025, we’re delighted to continue the celebrations with a UK tour in 2026 … and without giving too much away, fans can also look forward to more adventures ahead when Zog and the Flying Doctors takes off on tour in 2027.” Donaldson is the multi award-winning author of some of the world’s best-loved children’s stories, including The Gruffalo and Stick Man.

She is best known for her popular rhyming tales, especially those illustrated by Scheffler, which together have sold over 75 million copies and been published in more than 100 languages. First published in 2010, Zog quickly became a family favourite, winning the Galaxy National Book Award that year and going on to sell over 4.8 million copies worldwide.

In 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered the animated film version of Zog on BBC One, broadcast at primetime on Christmas Day, with an all-star cast including Sir Lenny Henry, Tracey Ullman, Rob Brydon and Kit Harington. The half-hour special delighted millions of viewers and cemented Zog’s place as a modern classic.

The theatre show’s running time is approximately one hour and most suitable for age three-plus, but all ages are welcome. Babes in arms (children under two) are permitted to share a seat with each full-paying adult; children aged two or more will require a paid ticket and seat. Find out more at zogonstage.com and at hulltruck.co.uk

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On the opening day of the inquest at Hull Coroner’s Court, the jury heard Francesco, who lived in Hull and had worked for ABP since 2002, had a history of heart problems including high blood pressure and heart disease, and was on medication. He previously suffered a heart attack which resulted in damage to his heart muscle.

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Decisions were again the big talking point in the Championship at the weekend

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Oli McBurnie should not be punished for his post-match comments after Saturday’s defeat at Sheffield United; instead, the FA and EFL should take them on board.

McBurnie suggested referee John Brooks didn’t understand football after sending off John Lundstram and then awarding the Blades a game-turning penalty.

Hull City‘s frustrations are shared by other players and managers up and down the EFL. When you’ve got professionals consistently saying the same thing, there’s clearly a problem.

Instead of burying their heads in the sand and trying to silence those in the game by handing out petty fines with wild abandon, perhaps Howard Webb, Mike Riley and Kevin Friend should look closer to home.

Hull City could, and should have had the game sewn up before Lundstram’s sending off. In every game, there are mistakes and errors made by players and managers who decide games.

Referees have a tough, tough job. But consistently, they are making decisions that have a huge impact on games. That’s been the case from the year dot, and will continue. Even in the Premier League, where VAR was supposed to make life easier, it feels a constant, divisive problem.

Maybe a form of VAR will eventually arrive in the second tier, and that would certainly please Sergej Jakirovic. Perhaps that will help; maybe it will hinder.

Mistakes happen. Whenever you involve a human, there will be errors. Like a striker missing a chance where you’d back him to score, or goalkeeper flapping at a shot you’d back him to save.. Referees are no different, but some of the errors they are making are avoidable.

Understanding the game is key. Lundstram’s challenge for his second yellow card was daft, but the referee had got himself in the way, and that didn’t help. Understand the situation and give him a warning, accepting that your positioning impacted it.

Take the penalty. How in the name of all that is sacred he can see that as a foul against City is baffling. This isn’t a free-kick in what they would call a safe area of the pitch. This is a game-changing decision. Essentially, he’s giving United a goal.

How is Brooks coming to that conclusion? And where is the help from the three other colleagues in his refereeing team? Such big decisions have a direct impact on a team’s success or failure, whether a manager keeps his job or not, and more. Brooks had not taken charge of a game in two months; his last in the Championship was in September. If a player doesn’t play for two months, he’s naturally going to be a bit below par, but there are 10 other players out there to help. For a referee, he’s on his own. He cannot afford to be anything other than at peak level.

This isn’t a case of sour grapes, either. City have been on the right side of poor decisions this season. Matt Crooks should have been sent off at QPR, but the referee booked John Egan instead. Liam Millar should have been sent off at Millwall for kicking the ball away, but Gavin Ward let him off. Equally, somehow, Kyle Joseph’s perfectly good goal in the home game against Millwall should have stood, but it didn’t.

Calls of apology, such as the one City received from Kevin Friend on Monday, count for little in the grand scheme of things. The result has gone, the points have been lost.

And let’s not suggest players and managers are saints, either, because they’re not; however, this isn’t about them. This is about how standards are being allowed to slip, despite incredible investment.

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Chris Wilder is right. The constant talk about refereeing decisons in tiresome, but it’s valid. Such big decisions in the Championship need to be made correctly.

The best referees in history have made mistakes; it’s part of the game. What they do, however, is communicate with players. They explain decisions, even if the player doesn’t agree and therefore command respect. So many officials now are like headmasters from the 1960s. Refusing to communicate and operating with a bizarre level of arrogance. As if they are above everybody else. To say to McBurnie, ‘I don’t know, go away’ when asked reasonably why the penalty was given, sums up the feeling of arrogance.

Players get benched or moved on, and managers get sacked for poor performance. There is accountability. For referees, there is zero accountability.

They are protected species. Once they’ve left the ground, there’s no comeback. PGMO are a closed shop with very little comment made to the outside world, especially in the EFL. The gates of the Ivory Tower are permanently closed. It’s why there is so much frustration from those in the game. What use is a letter of apology a few days later for a decision that cost a team a result that could define their season? Careers depend on this.

Rather than flippantly fine McBurnie, which, let’s be honest, is nothing more than a public show of power from the FA, the authorities should actually listen, speak to the players and use them to help improve standards. Players and managers can help referees; they can help. Ultimately, though, they need to improve.

Referees are vital to our game. There are some very good ones out there, but there are too many who are seemingly driven by ego, a desire to make the occasion about them and revel in the role they play. In reality, that probably isn’t the case, but it’s hard to escape that feeling, and players like McBurnie have a valid point which should be taken on board, rather than dismissed as another player whining after his team contrived to lose a game.

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Some further clarity on two big Hull FC injuries.

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Fears that John Asiata’s season could be over have been allayed ahead of more scans which will determine the exact timescale of the Hull FC star’s return.

However, the expectation is the key man will be sat on the sidelines for some time yet with a best-case scenario looking like at least three months.

The loose-forward tore his hamstring in the Good Friday derby against Hull KR, going down in the second half of the Easter clash.

Confirming the blow, the club said Asiata would be out for a ‘prolonged period’ on Friday with further scans to determine the full severity. However, head coach John Cartwright has provided a bit more clarity in revealing Asiata will be out for a minimum of 12 weeks.

If the player requires surgery, that 12-week prognosis could be much longer. The initial three-month assessment will see Asiata out until July at least, with Cartwright confirming there is a chance he could return for the end of the season.

“He sees a specialist tonight (Monday),” Cartwright said. “It’s long-term. I’d say a minimum 12 and if it needs surgery, it will probably be a little bit longer.

“He’s in rehab now, in that dark place where everyone hates being, but he’s handled it the right way. He’s been through it before and he certainly knows what’s in front of him. He’s a really positive chap, Johnny, and he’ll be back this year at some point.”

Elsewhere, it was confirmed on Friday that French centre Arthur Romano suffered an ankle injury in the derby, with the player expected to be out for ‘several months.’ However, Cartwright has provided more clarity on the situation, with Romano set to be out from eight to 12 weeks – ruling him out from anywhere between June and July.

“They are saying 8-12 weeks,” Cartwright said. “That’s a broad timeframe, I’d say, but he’ll work really hard to get back. He already is. He’ll be back on the shorter end of 8-12.”

In total, Hull will be without 10 players for Thursday’s game against St Helens. The other eight are Will Pryce (ACL), Harvey Barron (ankle), Jake Arthur (calf), Herman Ese’ese (Achilles), Joe Batchelor (back), Jed Cartwright (hamstring), Joe Phillips (leg), and Joe Ward (ACL). Their recovery times can be found here.

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John Cartwright admitted he felt ‘disrespected and betrayed’ by the club in this afternoon’s Hull FC press conference

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John Cartwright wasted no time getting into it as he sat down in front of the press at the MKM Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The questioning was direct but Cartwright made it clear from the off that he would not be beating around the bush after a difficult few days in his position at the club.

He started fast, telling reporters that his exit was not a mutual decision and in the first couple of minutes of his press conference he outlined how he felt ‘betrayed and disrespected’ as head coach of Hull FC.

He went on to say that no explanation had been given by the club’s hierarchy as to why they had decided to go in a different direction before outlining his belief that the appointment of his successor in Steve McNamara was a done deal.

When he was asked about recruitment and why the club hadn’t signed anyone yet, despite having the space, Cartwright outlined that they had found suitable candidates but no action had been taken, directing reporters to the CEO Richie Myler.

Those who have watched or listened to a Cartwright press conference will know that the Australian isn’t one to play things with a straight bat. Ask him a question, no matter how challenging, and he will give you an open and honest answer.

It’s an approach that has seen him gain plenty of respect among those in the game, the rugby league press pack and the fans that watch the Black and Whites on a regular basis.

But, coming away from the press conference on Monday, you had to wonder whether that would be Cartwright’s last as the FC coach.

Cartwright was adamant that he would be sticking around and doing his job professionally until his services are no longer required.

The explosive manner of what he said, though, simply has to make his position untenable at this point.

There was always going to be question marks about whether the Australian would stick around until the end of the season and that talk started last week as fans and the media speculated about what could happen in the weeks and months moving forward.

The bare minimum expected was that he would take charge of the Black and Whites on Thursday night against St Helens. But not now. Not after that press conference and the way it will inevitably be received internally and externally.

The decision makers at the club will be reading Cartwright’s comments, highlighting what a mess things seem to be at present, and they’ll surely be left with very few options. Firstly, they would have the right to question why Cartwright was allowed to sit down in front of the press at all, knowing how disgruntled he was. Then, they will have to decide whether they can allow him to continue being the voice and the face of the club moving forwards after taking such a swipe at those above him.

Cartwright has done a sterling job at Hull so far and he can leave with his head held high, but after saying his piece, it would be a shock if he was still in place to take the Black and Whites come Thursday night.

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Cartwright led the Black and Whites to a seventh-placed finish, three points off a play-off place, last season.

He said that they had cancelled last Tuesday’s training session after he told the team about his exit.

“There was a pretty emotional meeting when I addressed the players,” he said.

“The coaches left the room and the players decided to stay. In all honesty it wasn’t the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been of any value so I decided to call the day off.

“They needed to go and chat amongst themselves. I haven’t asked what was said, it’s not my business. I think they had some grievances that they wanted to talk about and I don’t know if they have been addressed either.”

The former Gold Coast Titans head coach said that despite his own situation he would not allow the season to be “wasted”.

“We’ve got to make sure we win as many games as we can,” he said.

“It’s ridiculous to waste a season. We’re sitting two points out of the top six.”

Ninth-placed Hull FC next welcome Challenge Cup semi-finalists St Helens on Thursday.

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John Cartwright faced the media for the first time since his Hull FC departure was confirmed.

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John Cartwright has stated he feels ‘betrayed and disrespected’ by Hull FC, who confirmed last Tuesday through CEO Richie Myler that the head coach will leave the club at the end of the season.

Cartwright, into his second year at Hull after taking over ahead of the 2025 season, has put on record that ‘no reason has been provided by the club’ as to why the Australian will be relieved of his duties.

In an explosive press conference ahead of Thursday’s Super League game against St Helens, Cartwright gave a brutally honest verdict on how he feels he has been treated, pulling no punches in his assessment.

The Aussie confirmed that the decision was 100% on the club’s side and that he intends to see out the full 2026 season as stated last week. There are still 20 rounds to go.

“The club have come to a decision that they would part ways at the end of my current contract and that a six-month termination clause would be exercised,” Cartwright said. “That’s pretty much how it happened.

“I still haven’t been given a reason, to be honest with you. I don’t know. I have asked and I expect to sit down with someone in the not too distant future.

“When people know the facts, they can make their own mind up. For me, I probably feel a little bit betrayed and disrespected.

“I’ll still do my job. I won’t do anything that will put that at risk. You ask me questions and I’ll tell you the answer. That’s where that sits. My loyalty and my bond with the players are something that can never be taken away.

“It took me totally by surprise. If you lose six in a row, you might feel they’d be a tap on the shoulder, but there was none of that.”

Asked if there’s been any disagreement with the board, namely Richie Myler or owner Andrew Thirkill, Cartwright said: “There have been a few little things but nothing major.

“It’s a game based on a lot of opinion, and when there are differing opinions, I’m not one to stand back. At the end of the day, the results pretty much come down to the coach; good results and you keep your job and bad results and you don’t.

“I’ve had a say on certain things, but I wouldn’t say it was anything different from what other coaches, owners, and CEOs go through.”

Meanwhile, Cartwright held the news he’d be departing Hull FC for a full week. In fact, the Aussie prepared his players for the derby game after being told the news five days before.

“I found out on the Monday before the derby,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “It was tough; we didn’t talk to them (the players) about it until a few days after the game.

“It wasn’t easy, but at the end of the day your job is to get your team ready. I’m professional enough and proud enough to know that no one was any wiser, staff or players.”

Addressing his players last Tuesday, Cartwright dropped the bombshell before a collective call was made not to train. The players then returned as normal on Saturday, preparing for Thursday’s game against St Helens.

“It was an emotional meeting, I suppose, when I addressed the players,” Cartwright said. “The coaches left the room and the players decided to stay.

“In all honesty, it just wasn’t the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been any value. I decided we were going to call the session off.

“I think the players had some grievances that they wanted to talk about, and I don’t know if they have been addressed, either.

“I won’t put the players at risk, but we got back together on Saturday. Everything went back to normal on Saturday, and we’re getting ready for St Helens.”

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It coincides with new school dinner menus which banish unhealthy options and limit sugar-laden treats

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Free breakfast clubs have opened today in 11 more schools across Hull and East Yorkshire. This takes the total number in the region to 35.

The expansion of the scheme is part of the Government’s pledge to establish a club at every state-funded school with primary school-aged children. The Government says the rollout offers immediate help to working parents juggling childcare costs by saving them up to £450 and giving back up to 95 hours of time, which equates to over two and a half working weeks each year.

In total there are now 26 free breakfast clubs in Hull, and a further nine in the East Riding. To celebrate the extension of the breakfast club programme, which includes over 500 new clubs nationally, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, visited a breakfast club in Greater Manchester.

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List of new schools in Hull and East Yorkshire that now offer the clubs:

• Southcoates Primary Academy
• The Parks Primary Academy
• Craven Primary Academy
• Chiltern Primary School
• New Pasture Lane Primary School
• Lift Green Way
• Biggin Hill Primary School
• Wansbeck Primary School
• Cleeve Primary School
• Bude Park Primary School
• Woodland Primary School

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The new rollout has coincided with the launch of a consultation on an overhaul of school dinner menus. Schools will no longer be able to offer unhealthy ‘grab and go’ options like sausage rolls and pizza every day, while deep fried food will be banned completely. The Government also says fruit will need to be served instead of “sugar-laden treats” for the majority of the school week.

To ensure schools follow the new standards, the Government says it is committed to developing a “robust enforcement system”, to monitor which schools are complying. The enforcement system is set to come into effect from September 2027.

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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Today we are launching the most ambitious overhaul of school food in a generation, and it is long overdue. Every child deserves to have delicious, nutritious food at school that gives them the energy to concentrate, learn and thrive – meals that children will actually recognise and enjoy, backed by robust compliance so that good standards on paper become good food on the plate. From our Free Breakfast Clubs to extending Free School Meals to over half a million more children, this means good-quality food from the moment children arrive at school to the end of the day.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal .

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