For many of us the bills and cost of living crisis has made a real impact in 2022.
It has hit the hospitality sector hard too with lots of venues forced out of business. Following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the financial uncertainty of the last 12 months many businesses just couldn’t survive.
We’ve taken a look back at some of the Leeds restaurants, bars and shops we’ve sadly said goodbye to in 2022. Some were real Yorkshire institutions and others making their way in the competitive hospitality sector.
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Our round up features former venues in Leeds city centre as well as community favourites loved by locals. In this article, you'll find details of what forced the closures and the farewell messages many of the teams had for their loyal customers.
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Yard and Coop
In July, the chicken restaurant, which has branches in Manchester and Liverpool, closed its doors in Leeds. At the time, the team said: "After three years of slinging chicken in Merrion Street, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close our restaurant in Leeds. We’ve made so many friends and loyal customers over the years, but we just need to pause and reassess all the costs thrown at us. Our team means the world to us and we are so sad to be closing our doors."
The Black Market
In October, the team at The Black Market confirmed their closure and plans for The Cat’s Pyjama’s to replace it. They posted: "It saddens us to have to inform you that with just over four years of serving you lovely people we've had to finally close our doors due to circumstances! But it definitely is not the end for us.”
Meat is Dead
Vegan restaurant Meat is Dead announced plans for a temporary closure in the summer. It has yet to reopen at its Kirkstall base. At the time, they posted: “This is not a permanent goodbye, it’s a pause, a shake up and a new beginning. “We, like everyone, have been hit with crippling costs and hard hitting times, we are incredibly sad to pause right now but this is a must for us to be able to continue in any capacity.
“We thank you all for supporting, visiting and returning - each and every single one of you have made our dream and exhaustion worthwhile.”
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George’s Great British Kitchen
There was anger and confusion in Leeds on Father’s Day when punters arrived at George’s Great British Kitchen to discover it had shut down. The once-popular restaurant in The Light, Headrow, Leeds city centre, which opened in 2017 is now permanently closed. Customers turned up to the venue on Father’s Day to find a sign reading ‘this restaurant is now closed for business’.
Different Gravy
In April, Morley restaurant and Bar Different Gravy shut down. It was known for its 50 different gin collections and pub grub accompanied with lots of gravy. It won praise from punters for its friendly staff and cheap prices.
Hamleys
There was lots of excitement when the world-famous brand opened in the Leeds city centre venue. Sadly, at the end of January, boxes of stock were spotted being packed up and the store closed for good soon after.
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Sant’ Angelo
Many were extremely sad to see the Wetherby institution close its doors. Posting on Facebook, the team said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close Sant’ Angelo’s restaurant on Sunday, September 25. We have been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years - 13 of them at Sant Angelo’s. We have worked hard to provide authentic, family-focused Italian food at affordable prices for people in Wetherby and beyond.
“There have been ups and downs throughout the years, but no time has been as hostile to the survival of small businesses as now. From Covid to Brexit to staff shortages to spiralling gas and electricity prices, with the best will in the world we cannot keep operating in this environment. And so, with great regret, we have decided to close our doors and retire.
“We would like to thank our loyal customers and our hard-working staff, especially our head chef Oliver Hart who made Sant’ Angelo’s so much of what it was.”
To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
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