Completing the 'All Things Dough' trilogy, BAKE is a nostalgic British bakery concept refining all your old school bakes.
Yes we know it's barely the second week of January, but we think this may be the most exciting new opening of 2025 already.
Flakey cheese twists, fluffy focaccia, sticky school cake, creamy vanilla slices - these are all delectable treats that you can get at the newly opened BAKE in Leeds city centre.
Tom, the mastermind behind Things In Bread and Doh'hut, has been working on this special concept for over a year now and let us tell you, it's been worth the wait.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The concept is simple, refining your old school classic bakes using the very best ingredients and baking them all fresh in-house, every single day.
The space itself is gorgeous, centred around a huge purpose-built oven with vast worktops where you can watch the magic happening in front of your very own eyes.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
There's plenty of space for you to sit down and enjoy your bakes with a delicious coffee, or if you want to take something to go on your way to work that's also absolutely encouraged.
They're open from 8am, and due to everything being made fresh every single day they're almost always guaranteed to sell out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
So if you do want to get your hands on one of their legendary cheese twists, then we wouldn't mess around.
It's just one of a whole bunch of new openings that we can't wait to welcome to the city, from the brand new wine bar by Bottle Chop that will be landing on Call Lane to the beloved Danish homeware brand Sostrene Grene that is opening inside Trinity Shopping Centre.
It's going to be a great year for Leeds, and we're very excited indeed.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
9th January 2025 
