A former foreign student was so taken with Leeds that when he returned to China he set up his own chain of 'English pizza' restaurants.
Whilst Li Zhu studied at Leeds Beckett University, he took a job at a local Domino's pizza to help fund him through his undergraduate and masters courses in business.
He fell in love with English food and culture, and after leaving his Domino's management job and returning to China he started to miss the city he'd called home for seven years.
Customers watch a pizza being prepared at a Leeds pizza restaurant in Changsha / Image: Li Zhu
So in 2011, two years after moving back, he set up his own tribute to the city: a Leeds-inspired pizza restaurant in his hometown, Changsha.
Ten years later, he has a chain of restaurants across China but insists the food is as authentically "British" as ever.
Specialities of the pizza restaurant include the Leeds sirloin steak and the Leeds fillet steak.
Called Leeds Pizza, the chain emulates the takeaway style of pizza popular in England and has reportedly amassed a lot of international fans.
Pizzas are prepared by staff at one of the Leeds pizza restaurant in Changsha / Image: Li Zhu
"I started missing the British delicacies and pizzas especially, and hoped for friends and family in my hometown to try these foods," said Li.
"It was named Leeds because I love Leeds, and it's where I learnt my skills."
"I'm so happy to bring the local cuisine and culture of Leeds to the people of my hometown and international friends.
"I want more people to know about Leeds and hope one day the locals of Leeds have a chance to come and visit Changsha - it's the Chinese fashion capital with beautiful scenery."
Eats
Vinyl-only 1970s-inspired cocktail bar coming to Leeds from team behind some of the city’s best bars
A new cocktail bar is coming to Leeds city centre.
If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be very excited about this news.
The very talented team behind Roland's on Call Lane and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.
Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.
Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.
The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.
And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.
For now, we don't know many more details about the project, but we already know it's going to be exceptional cas anything these guys do turns to gold.
Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.
We'll keep you updated with Paper Plane's progress, but Roland's have stated that the site is hoping to open this coming autumn. So we really don't have long to wait.
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
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.
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2021 
