A lockdown success story is finding a home in Meanwood.
From an up-cycled horse trailer to a coffee shop, Humbl is the UK’s first battery powered mobile coffee shop with a lockdown success story that started off, and continues to be, an entirely self-funded small business.
Located in the heart of Meanwood, a leafy suburb less than three miles from Leeds city centre, the little coffee shop now has big plans to take over one of Meanwood's shops to open a permanent home.
Ever-humble, the independent coffee stop is owned by locals Matt and Georgia (and their dog Lou) and after growing their business presence at a host of pop-up events around Leeds over the past year and securing a local spot near Meanwood Park and Seagulls Reuse, the owners are now hoping to give the suburb that has taken in Humbl for the past twelve months, a permanent home in the form of a coffee shop.
From horse box to coffee shop. / Image: Humbl
The couple shared their vision on Crowdfunder at the weekend and are hoping to raise £6000 for coffee-making equipment. With the help of the local community, the aim is to raise enough to purchase a two group coffee machine, so that Humbl can cope with the bigger demand of a coffee shop.
The owners said: "We are excited to announce that we have just got the keys to this amazing local treasure and while we're well on our way to making our dream a reality we need your help to get us over the finish line!"
Humbl started as a converted horse trailer. / Image: Humbl
The owners shared a message on local community pages earlier this week, offering exciting merchandise, vouchers, invites to their opening and even a black card as part of their fundraising efforts:
"Humbl beginnings! We’re opening a coffee shop in Meanwood! Some very exciting and scary times ahead. We could not have come this far without your amazing support. Our aim is to give Meanwood a speciality coffee shop with a focus on sustainability, arts and community.
The location of the new Humbl coffee shop. / Image: Humbl
"A space where we can support local artists, projects and fellow small businesses! While we're well on our way to making our dream a reality we need your help to raise funds to get our small business off to a flying start.
"In return we are offering some fantastic rewards, including limited edition merch, VIP launch party invites and free coffee on us for a whole year. Your contribution, no matter how great or small, would mean the world. We can’t wait to welcome you all! Your Humbl humans, Matt, Georgia and Lou."
Some of the crowdfunders will receive tote bags as thanks. / Image: Humbl
Every £20 donation will give the donor access to a limited edition birthday blend, 250g bag of beans, limited edition tote and a free coffee upon opening, but the prizes scale all the way up to £1500 donation offerings.
The top offering is one of four 'Humbl Black Cards' which will entitle the lucky donor to 50% off any bill sit in or take out forever, as well as a hand written invite to soft launch/opening day and after party with a plus one, a plaque with your name on it in the venue- and a permanent state of gratitude from the business owners.
Whilst renovations take place, Matt will still be "smashing out his famous flats whites" at Humbl's locally-known spot next to Meanwood Park every Friday - Sunday until the opening of their permanent store, as well as attending plenty of pop-up events around the city too.
The owners pictured on their Facebook post. / Image: Humbl
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Sophie Smith -
5th April 2022 
