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Leeds

Independent Nordic-inspired homeware shop closes Leeds store after six years

What a shame.

Clementine Hall - 9th March 2026

After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.

If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.

Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.

Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.

In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.

"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.

"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."

We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long

Clementine Hall

Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.

Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.

It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.

The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.

So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".

Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."

It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.

"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."

The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.

It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.

Read the full review here.

Read more: Neighbourhood Leeds restaurant hailed as ‘charming’ and ‘delightful’ by national critic Jay Rayner

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening

Clementine Hall

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

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

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."

Read more: Horsforth Brewery to takeover and save beloved Ilkley tap house

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds