Poppy's Potting Shed is an immersive plant shop that truly embodies the meaning of an indoor urban jungle.
The new Leeds plant shop far more than your standard garden centre, it's 1000 sq ft of green goodness. Located on Kirkstall Road, the new plant store will be opening on Saturday 13 November.
The store is designed for the 'gram and visitors will be obsessed with its indoor jungle design and truly immersive experience.
To help you select your perfect plant, Anna has designed a plant menu board with all the information you need.
Poppy's Potting Shed plants can also be found at Oscada and plenty of other cafes around the city. / Image: Poppy's Potting Shed
For those wanting to get some hands-on experience, a series of workshops will be planned in to the calendar for future months. From terrarium to wreath making and plant and prosecco evenings, there truly will be something for everyone to get involved in.
The new store is replacing owner Anna's former retail space in Armley and is three times the the size of her quaint potting shed.
Like many innovative stores popping up in Leeds recently; the idea stemmed from the first lockdown in April 2020, when many of us were sent home and had time to reflect on their personal careers and spot gaps in the wider market.
Any keen gardeners or indoor 'plant mums' will remember the shortage of seeds, soil and full-grown plants.
Finding an innovative solution to the shortage, Anna, a former Personal Trainer, began sourcing plants from wholesalers and helping family and friends to keep their gardens growing throughout those months that felt like forever.
As lockdown eased, Anna began to hold a series of plant pop-ups at her partner's gym, Implexus, and this led to her first opening in Armley.
The popular plant store attended the small business event run by The Savvy Baker over Halloween weekend. / Image: Poppy's Potting Shed
After the success of the Armley store, Anna is celebrating 16 months of successful planting business with a brand new store.
The immersive urban jungle is covered head-to-toe in greenery and is set to offer national delivery so that those not in close proximity to the Burley store don't have to miss out.
Head over to Poppy's Potting Shed on Kirkstall Road in Burley from Saturday 13 November.
For more information, you'll find them on Facebook and 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 -
3rd November 2021 
