Leeds in Bloom: New Openings Part 10

Before you head off on your Leeds Christmas shopping day, you might want to check out the new openings we’ve rounded up for you. From haircuts to houseplants, there’s a lot of exciting stuff to fit in. But don’t stress; you’ll also find plenty of places to stop for a Scandi-style ‘hygge’ moment. Just top up on refreshments, and off you go.  

Hair and beauty…

Gareth Vance Salon – Corner of Kirkgate Market and Victoria Gate 

A trip to a luxury salon is always a good way to start a day. The new Gareth Vance Salon reunites Gareth, the former UK Creative Director of Vidal Sassoon, and a five-strong team of former Sassoon stylists with over 100 years of combined experience in styling. It’s the first time the team has had a permanent home for nearly two years.

The stylish new space on the corner of Ludgate Hill and Harewood Street is designed with comfort and wellbeing in mind. And it’s a chilled place to be; you’ll find flexible hot-desking spaces, a coffee bar and gallery space, mid-century decor and thoughtful details like filtered water (to drink and for hair), soft lighting, and natural plants.

Shopping…

North Home – County Arcade, Victoria Quarter

If the stylish interior of Gareth Vance whets your appetite for a pleasing aesthetic, you should pop down to the North Home concept store in the County Arcade in the Victoria Quarter. Find one-of-a-kind homewares with a Nordic touch, including furniture, ceramics, fragrances, kitchenware, lighting, accessories and skincare, alongside a gourmet food hall and bar area.

Given the store’s humble beginnings, which started with founder Kamil selling crockery online, followed by a Vicar Lane pop-up, the new four-storey store is a Leeds indie success story worth visiting.

Flannels – Briggate

Another stylish addition to Leeds’ high street is the highly anticipated Flannels flagship store, now open on Briggate. The iconic 70,0000 sq ft former Debenhams building (over a third bigger than the new Zara Trinity) has been transformed into a super-luxurious shopping space. Expect bespoke tailoring, personal shopping, a beauty hall and acres of high-end men’s, women’s and kids’ fashion. And that’s not all; a basement gym and ground floor restaurant are set to open soon. 

North South Vintage – Headingley Lane

If brand new’s not your thing, try independent  North South Vintage on Headingley Lane for handpicked luxury, sportswear and designer-preloved garments from the 90s and 00s. Leeds’ preloved clothing game is strong at the minute, and North South doesn’t disappoint with authenticated, preserved and laundered items from brands like The North Face, Carhartt and Patagonia. Sign up for their newsletter online for 10% off at checkout.

Nice Things – Lower Briggate

Nice Things on Lower Briggate might be just the sanctuary you need from the Christmas shopping frenzy. Find it by its rag-rolled peach frontage – you can’t miss it – and enter into a lush, green haven where you can exhale aaand relax. There’s lots to discover about houseplants and ownership; each plant has a care passport and a speciality care section. So, even the worst plant killers are in a safe place here.

Food and drink…

Holding Patterns  – Albion Place

With all the new shopping on offer, you’ll need somewhere to recharge. And recharging doesn’t get much better than Holding Patterns, a new space for listening, reading and meeting in Albion Place. Coffee and speakers on, beers and cocktails served…Holding Patterns opens from 10 am daily with HiFi sound from the people behind Hyde Park Book Club and Eiger Studios. You know it’s going to be a good one.

HEYTEA – Briggate

HEYTEA, the OG of Asian tea, is another place to try a cool brew. Taking over the space from former sneaker reseller McKickz on Briggate, HEYTEA has over 4,000 stores across the globe and invented the first ever ‘cheese tea’. If cheese tea’s not to your taste, opt for bestseller Grape Bloom instead, or jasmine tea or bubble tea – there are plenty of new flavours to try.

Yuzu Street Food – Northern Market, Great George Street

Yuzu Street Food has moved! The popular spot for Bao, Katsu, Ramen and Wings has replaced The Lucky Snake in Northern Monk’s city centre food hall, Northern Market. If you haven’t been to Yuzu yet, it takes inspiration from Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese cuisine and gets rave reviews from media outlets like Condé Nast Traveller, BBC Good Food and The Guardian. 

It’s well worth a trip. In Northern Market, you’ll also find Six Slice, Falafel Guys and  Big Buns, and a fully stocked bar pouring the freshest Northern Monk beers from ten tap lines, including Faith, Monk’s flagship hazy pale ale.

Popeyes – Wakefield Road, Gildersome 

The all-new Louisiana fried chicken drive-thru restaurant Popeyes has made its way to Plantation Way, Wakefield Road in Gildersome. The Gildersome outlet is the fifth to open in Yorkshire and rewarded the first three people queuing to buy foot and in-car with free chicken sandwiches for a year (!). Expect bold seasonings, cajun spices and Popeye’s famous ‘shatter’ crunch across a range of chicken sandwiches, wraps and pieces.

Bastard’s Bistro Residency at Green Room – Wellington Street

A new Bastard’s Bistro autumn menu at favourite rooftop bar Green Room will include brunch baos, steak and eggs, tiramisu pancakes and more. Bastard’s Bistro takes the reigns from Leeds street food institution Braizin’ Squad. But they’re not the only pop-up at Green Room, with Homeboy Pizza Tuesdays and The Cheesy Living Co. Wednesdays.

Laynes – New Station Street

The legendary coffee spot is now open on evenings. Serving cocktails wine and beers along side their brilliant coffee menu. A new hot food menu is available Thursday to Saturday too.  Think Beef short rib ragu, celeriac schnitzel, pan roasted hake or smoked haddock croquettes.

Bars and Entertainment

Nyla’s – Briggate

Open every day from midday until late in the heart of Briggate, visit Nyla’s for live DJs and entertainment. Nyla’s is a cosy spot for a break from daytime or late-night shopping – with family, partners or friends, and serves affordable late breakfast, brunch, and kids menus.

Katie OBrien’s – Greek Street

Katie O’Brien’s Irish Tavern brings you a taste of Ireland in the heart of Leeds, with live music, sports and great craic seven days a week. Whether it’s a lively night out or a chilled catch-up with friends you’re after, Katie’s has an extensive whiskey range and, of course, the best Guinness on Greek Street on tap. Go Thursday to Sunday to catch solos, duos and bands or Monday for Katie’s Quiz Night.

Sixes Social Cricket – Ash Road, Headingley 

If you’re a Flight Club fan, Sixes Social Cricket, the new cricket simulator and activity bar, is one for you. The perfect blend of sport and socialising, Sixes’ immersive experience is located right by Headingley Stadium in the old Manahatta and is open to players of all skill levels. Alongside cricket nets, you’ll find multiple screens showing sports, a pool table, an arcade, private games, and karaoke rooms. Keep the action flowing with sharing plates, pizzas, burgers, cocktails and draught ales on tap.

Coming soon

As if the above openings are not enough, there’s more to look forward to just around the corner…

Søstrene Grene – Trinity Leeds

It was only a matter of time before the hit Danish homewares store Søstrene Grene (Green Sisters) made its way to Leeds. Fans of the affordable Scandi haberdashery (often described as the Flying Tiger for adults due to its cut-price goods and labyrinth-style layout) will be delighted to hear it’s coming to Trinity Leeds soon, bringing everything from Christmas decs to kitchen essentials. If you’ve not been, where have you been? Go – you won’t come out empty-handed. 

Aesop – Victoria Gate

The Australian luxury skincare brand Aesop will open its first store in the North of England in Leeds’ Victoria Quarter. The Grade II listed store will feature Aesop’s entire collection and personalised service, with everything sympathetically designed to enhance balance and wellbeing.

Woodside – Crown Point Road

Woodside, a new neighbourhood bar and eatery from the team behind The Brunswick and The Melbourne, will bring mid-century vibes and a huge outdoor terrace area to Crown Point Road, just behind the Minster. Opening November 22, Woodside will serve up Sunday Roasts synonymous with The Brunswick – book for beef rump cap, smoked pork belly, cheesy leeks and smoked mash every Sunday from 12pm.

Rita’s Beer Hall and Ballroom – Woodhouse Lane

Rita’s, a beer hall for cocktail lovers, will open in the former Walkabout Venue on Woodhouse Lane on Friday, December 6. Visit Rita’s for all-day dancing, live music and big-screen events – or just for its leopard print pool tables. There will, of course, be an extensive margarita menu featuring Casamigos-laced cocktails from classics to slushies.

POCO – The Calls

Sicilian street food makes its way to The Calls, with a fourth POCO branch set to open soon. Instead of POCO’s usual take-out deli-style fayre, this one will have an outside eating area. We can’t wait for POCO’s primo cannolis, arancini and pizzas to arrive.

Caffé Concerto – Victoria Gate

Another Italian eatery to open in Leeds on November 22 is Caffé Concerto. The stylish, award-winning restaurant will deliver an exquisite menu, fine wines, celebration cakes and an atmosphere of pure indulgence. Are you ready? We are…

Bake – Mustard Wharfe

A bakery of a different kind, Bake, will complete the “All Things Dough’ trio, following Doh’hut on Trevelyan Square and Things in Bread on Boar Lane. According to owner Tom Stafford, Bake will be a ‘classic British bakery with a touch of Parisian finesse.’ The location has yet to be announced, so watch this space.

UYARE by Tharavadu – Victoria Gate

And last, but by no means least, Tharavadu, Leeds’s beloved Michelin-recommended champion of Keralan cuisine, will open a new venue soon. The venue has just been announced, but there’s no doubt it will book up fast; renowned critic Jay Rayner recently described Tharavadu as somewhere that will make you ‘profoundly happy’. Read the full Rayner review here. UYARE will take up the former Issho restaurant space and open in early 2025.