Owain Williams and co brings Salon Madre to Leeds

Salon Madre is here, and Madre is not far behind. We caught up with Owain Williams on day two of operation at West Village to talk about Leeds, growth, and why this city feels like the right next chapter.

Owain’s journey started at university in Liverpool, where he fell in love with hospitality while working with Living Ventures, the team behind the original Living Room in Leeds. In fact, he launched the Leeds site back in 2003. That early connection to the city has clearly stayed with him.

Since then, he has built an impressive portfolio across the North. His first bar was Filter and Fox (2015) in Liverpool. Then came Belzan (2017), the critically acclaimed neighbourhood bistro that has become a destination in its own right. Madre was born there too in 2019, bringing a fresh, confident take on Mexican food that quickly built a loyal following. They opened Salon Madre in Lvierpool end of last year (2025). 

More recently, Winsome (2025) and Valerie Goode’s Pies (2025) have made serious noise in Manchester, as well as Madre (2023) and Salon Madre (2024), regularly tipped among the best openings of recent years. Now Leeds is firmly in focus, as Owain and business partner Sam Grainger expand O G Hospitality at pace. Four new sites are opened in 2025, with six more in the pipeline for 2026.

So what is Salon Madre, and what can Leeds expect?

Salon Madre is a bar-led space rooted in the spirit of Madre. Think great tequila and mezcal, cocktails that feel considered but never fussy, and food that is generous and full of flavour. It is designed as a place to drop in for a drink that turns into a long evening. Madre, which will follow, is the full restaurant experience. It is built around tacos, small plates and bold Mexican cooking, with a soundtrack and atmosphere to match.

The setting is West Village on Wellington Street, part of Bruntwood’s SciTech growing neighbourhood just a short walk from Leeds station. West Village is a cluster of characterful brick buildings arranged around a central courtyard. Bruntwood has been steadily investing in the area, creating flexible workspaces, independent food and drink operators and shared social spaces. It is becoming a hub for creative and digital businesses, with a real community feel rather than a single-use development.

Wellington Street itself has seen significant change in recent years. Major office refurbishments, new residential schemes and public realm improvements are reshaping this gateway into the city. The wider South Bank regeneration continues to gather momentum, bringing thousands of new homes and workspaces to the area. For Owain, that mix of established city centre energy and visible growth made it an obvious choice.

There is also a sense that Leeds is ready. The hospitality scene has matured, diners are curious, and the appetite for independent operators is strong. Owain talks about the city with warmth, not just as a market opportunity but as somewhere he already feels connected to.

We did ask about Valerie Goode’s Pies landing in Leeds. The answer? Watch this space.

For now, Salon Madre is open, Madre is on the way, and West Village has a new name to know. If you want to hear Owain talk about building brands in the North, why Leeds matters to him, and what comes next, make sure you watch the full interview.