Bottle Chop opened up on a small plot in Headingley just a few weeks ago, but the micro deli, bottle shop and bar has big plans to help the planet.
Believe it or not, your wine bottle is probably not as eco-friendly as you think it is- even if you put it into the recycling after it's been used.
Glass bottles are best reused. / Image: Bottle Chop
Officially, glass is one hundred percent recyclable and never loses any purity of quality when its reused, so this means that we can keep reusing and recycling for as long as we can. But what happens when it smashes on a roadside or behind the back of the bar? Those pieces that are left behind will usually end up in the black bin.
According to ISM, the average glass bottle will take approximately one million years to fully decompose, meaning we will never fully get rid of all the glass we use, or smash.
To counter the effects of single use glass on our planet, Bottle Chop, a new micro deli and bottle shop in Headingley have come up with a creative solution.
The selection of refillable booze. / Image: Bottle Chop
The company are selling their house wines and IPAs using reusable glass bottles. Customers purchase a glass bottle at £5 each and can refill it as many times as they like, all they need to do is return to the store once the bottle is empty.
With choices like Red Abruzzo, Rosso Montepulciano, a delicate purple red; White Sicilian Ciello Bianco Catarratto with pink grapefruit and White Touraine Guy Allion Sauvignon with elderflower, gooseberry and summer fruit available, there's sure to be a wine for every palette.
Beer drinkers can also choose from Deya IPA (6.5%) or Polly's Talus Pale Ale (5.6%) at £9.50 per litre to take away. All bottled drinks are available to sample in store as a schooner, glass or pint, as well as a 'sneaky taste' for those wanting to choose their drinks and get on with their afternoons.
You can grab a bottle in store. / Image: Bottle Chop
As Bottle Chop point out:
"This means less waste, less recycling, less going to the bottle bank with an embarrassing amount of bottles... I mean, you can’t do that in Sainsbo’s can ya?!"
If you want to get your own refillable wine and beer, or browse the extended collection of unusual drinks at Bottle Chop, visit them in their Headingley store, or any queries can be answered via Instagram.
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.
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2021 
