Residents in Meanwood have raised over £10,000 to help restore a beloved local restaurant front after a car crashed into it last month.
The accident forced Zucco to close just a week after reopening for indoor dining due to damage caused by an out-of-control motorist in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, 19th May.
Locals quickly rallied to support their favorite family-run Italian restaurant, which has been serving the community for years.
A fundraiser was set up by Zucco chef Jack Richards, saying that "anyone that knows the Leggiero family will understand that they are far to proud to ask for the help they really deserve."
Jack took it upon himself to help find the funds to restore the restaurant to how it was, and has completely blown his initial target out of the water.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has pulled in £10,904 with donations still rolling in. The funds raised mean the family can now replace the damaged window and doors as well as retile and replace tables and chairs whilst they wait for the insurance money to come through.
Local families have also left comments, sharing their sympathies with the family and their affection for the local restaurant.
"Gutted for you all. Can't wait to come back and see you as soon as you open. The Beadnall Family" said Andrew Beadnall, who donated £200 towards the restaurant's refurbishment.
Whilst Kevin Cassidy, who donated £100, said: "Marie and I were devastated to learn of the closure. We trust the repair work will go smoothly and we can soon enjoy some great food in one of our favourite restaurants. Good luck guys."
Nigel Wilson, donating £20, said: "What is the point of coming out of lockdown if Zuccos isnt open? I hope you get back up soon. Take care."
Scenes outside Zucco following the car crash that forced it to close just a week after reopening
The family have since thanked their customers for their generosity.
Mr Leggiero said: “It’s so kind of everyone. It just shows how we’ve made a difference to the community, which is nice to see.
“It means that while we’re waiting for the insurance money to come in, we can carry on paying staff wages and rent will get paid. It makes a massive difference.”
"I’m glad to see how much Zucco means to the community and this will help us to speed up the reopening and to help pay staff their full wage as they’ve missed out on enough during the last 18 months!"
He added: “We just want to say thank you. It means so much to the entire family just to know we’ve got the whole community behind us and there’s going to be a lot of free arancini given out when we reopen.”
They anticipate they'll be able to reopen in roughly 4 weeks, so mark your calendars.
Eats
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Georgina Pellant -
1st June 2021 
