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Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening

What a shame.

Clementine Hall - 2nd February 2026

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".

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by emba (@embagastrobar)

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.”

Emba will remain open until Saturday 1 March.

Read more:

Featured image - Emba

Eats

Historic family-run Leeds restaurant that’s been open for half a century is forced to close

Clementine Hall

Beloved Leeds restaurant Salvo's has closed suddenly due to 'unexpected dispute' with landlord.

Salvo's over on Otley Road in Headingley is a real Leeds institution.

Having first opened in 1976, it has been serving generations of families for fifty years with its authentic Italian menu.

The much loved restaurant announced the heartbreaking news to their social media today stating that the unexpected closure is down to an 'unexpected dispute' with their landlord.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salvo's Restaurant (@salvosleeds)

The post read: "To our dearest customers, friends, and supporters,

"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we must share some devastating news. Due to an unexpected dispute with our landlord, we have been forced to close our doors effective immediately.

"This morning, the landlord changed the locks and denied our team access to the premises. This means we are, with immediate effect, unable to honor any existing bookings, provide table service, or welcome you for the dining experience we love to create.

"We want to be unequivocally clear: We have always met our obligations, including rent and all bills. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly, not just to serve exceptional food, but to build a community within our walls. Through the immense challenges of the hospitality economy, we fought to stay afloat, committed to our staff, our suppliers, and most of all, to you.

"Our hope now is to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We remain committed to our dream and to serving you again."

The post continued: "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support, your laughter that filled our dining room, and your loyalty. It has been our greatest honor to serve you.

"We will update you here as soon as we have more information. Please keep our team in your thoughts."

Read more: Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism given green light to open in Leeds suburb

Featured image - Salvo's

Eats

Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism given green light to open in Leeds suburb

Clementine Hall

An award-winning burger chain can now open a new branch in a Leeds suburb after plans have been agreed.

If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.

The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.

Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order.

The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.

Images: The Manc Group

Images: The Manc Group

Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meandwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.

Burgerism's new takeaway will be near the famed Zucco restaurant and The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.

The planning officer's report stated that the applicant must give sufficient details of extraction equipment to prevent the odour for people living above.

It read: “The application site relates to a vacant ground floor premises within a parade of three commercial units in a local town centre. Above the premises are three floors of purpose-built self-contained flats.”

A design report by Burgerism read: “The proposal will ensure the continued use of a vacant hot food takeaway and will support the continued viability of the town centre of Meanwood, with an exciting new operator in the market.”

The brand-new Burgerism would employ 15 people from the local area and would serve food between 11am and 11pm.

We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, so you can get your Burgerism fix.

Read more: A shop that sells giant NYC-style pizza slices for under £5 is opening in Leeds City Centre

Featured image - The Manc Group