Plans have been approved for a new student accommodation scheme in the heart of Leeds.
The new student halls will be located on Merrion Street, knocking down an old bar and nightclub in the process.
The high-spec studio apartments is going to be a huge undertaking for the popular night out location. The new building is set to be a part-five, part-seven and part-nine storey building, with almost 88 apartments and associated amenities like a lounge, cinema room, study spaces and gyms.
Merrion Street. / Image: WikiCommons
The new building will see the shell of former bar and nightclub Mayaimi Bar transformed. The Merrion Street bar was well known around the city for its extensive list of cocktails and laid-back atmosphere since its opening in 2012, but the bar closed a few years ago.
Attempting to replicate the Miami nightlife scene across the pond, Mayaimi Bar hosted a huge dance floor with 'state of the art sound and light' and cabanas inside the nightclub building.
Since closing between 2018 and 2019, the bar's location it appears that nobody took over the bar, allowing plans to go ahead for the student accommodation.
Mark Henderson, from Brewster Bye Architects, said: “This is the second purpose build student accommodation scheme we have designed and successfully achieved planning for with Urban under the Engage brand, following the approval of a large-scale development in Nottingham city centre.
“It’s a great location for students, in the very heart of Leeds, and our design sees the building step down in height and complement the surrounding streetscape. With ground floor glazing that creates an attractive and continuous street frontage on Merrion Street, our scheme will mirror the frontage of neighbouring The Merrion Project and really add to this part of the city centre.”
Merrion Street currently hosts some of the city's best nightlife offerings and is well known for its late-night parties, relaxed dining options and is home to an impressive list of independent and national chain bars and nightclub.
The new student apartments, been designed by Brewster Bye Architects for developer Urban Developments (York) Ltd, will replace buildings from 26-34 Merrion Street and is due to start its transformation process this summer, due to be completed for occupation by 2024.
Feature Image- Brewster Bye Architects
Leeds
One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
Clementine Hall
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Sophie Smith -
4th April 2022 
