It's been a difficult few years for businesses across the country - particularly those in the hospitality sector that have dealt with the impact of Covid and now rising inflation and a cost of living crisis.
It has led to many independent shops and restaurants in Leeds having to close - but chain venues are also seemingly feeling the bite. Around Leeds at the moment, there are several previously popular chains that have closed in the past few years.
And for several of them, they're yet to be replaced, with the décor and branding still up in some, but without the guests. Here are some of the chain restaurants we've spotted in Leeds that are currently standing empty.
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Frankie & Benny's - The Light and Cardigan Fields
Frankie & Benny's at The Light was a Covid casualty, with the branch, along with the Crown Point restaurant, not reopening after the original lockdown in 2020. It was thought at the time the chain was struggling to deal with rent costs post pandemic.
The branch has stood empty ever since. More recently, Frankie & Benny's at Cardigan Fields in Kirkstall also mysteriously closed some time in 2022.
In the Cardigan Fields case, the sign has been removed, but the outline of the restaurant it once was remains. It was removed from the list of Yorkshire restaurants Frankie & Benny's has on its website, though still remains listed on Cardigan Fields' list of attractions.
Ask Italian, Lands Lane
In Leeds city centre, Ask Italian on Lands Lane has been standing empty for a while now. There is a notice up in the window that reads: "We have chosen to temporarily close this ASK Italian until further notice, following the government advice regarding COVID-19.
'We're looking forward to seeing you when we're back open again. In the meantime, be safe and be kind."
Looking through the window, you can still see all the furniture and fittings still there.
Cote Brasserie, Trinity Leeds
Found on the upstairs floor of Trinity Leeds near the Everyman, Cote Brasserie has also permanently closed. The chain's website no longer has a Leeds branch listed on its website.
Like ASK Italian, it's not open for business - but its fittings remain eerily inside as if nothing had changed.
Byron Burger, Lands Lane
This is a much more recent closure - so it's more understandable that the city centre restaurant's branding and furniture remains. The owners of Byron Burger announced last month that nine restaurants across the network would close.
The owner fell into administration, and Byron Burger was sold to Tristar Foods, who will keep open the 12 branches left. Leeds was among the branches for the chop, as well as places like Manchester and Southampton.
Absurd Bird, Trinity Kitchen
This is a much smaller chain, but a chain nonetheless with a previous branch in Trinity Leeds. The chicken burger restaurant announced its five eat-in restaurants would be closing in July last year, including the Leeds branch.
You can still order Absurd Bird online via apps like Deliveroo or Uber Eats.
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