Leeds

This Thai restaurant in Leeds is bringing back its 2002 menu for its 20th anniversary

To celebrate two decades of trading, Sukhothai is reminiscing on their original 2002 menu and bringing back their first ever specials.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 7th April 2022

It's been 20 years since much-loved Thai restaurant Sukhothai opened its doors for the very first time.

To celebrate their milestone anniversary, the restaurant is throwing it back to 2002 and bringing back their original menu to celebrate.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had just come out, Majestyk and Townhouse were the places to hang out at night and by day, shoppers stormed the Corn Exchange is search of edge one-off designs: 2002 really does feel like a lifetime ago.

There weren't many Thai restaurants around then either, the UK was yet to be introduced to the irresistible flavours of peanut pad thai or the delicious curries and spices.

Image: Sukhothai

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There were very few Thai restaurants in the UK at that time, never mind Leeds, but one woman seized the opportunity to fill the gap and hasn’t looked back since.

Ban Kaewkraikhot opened her very first Sukhothai restaurant (named after the small-town north of Bangkok where she was raised) in Chapel Allerton in April 2002, bringing with her a lifetime passion for Thai cuisine which began at an early age with her mother’s cooking in rural Thailand. 

In total, there's now three Sukhothai's across the country and the owners have since gone on to open an impressive six restaurants of their causal-dining brand Zaap Thai. Not to mention Ban and her dedicated team have won countless awards and survived a global pandemic- it’s been quite the journey.

Now, to celebrate two decades of trading, Sukhothai is reminiscing on their original 2002 menu and bringing back their first ever specials.

Lamb Shank Massamam. / Image: PGHL

Dishes making a comeback include the Gae Kiew Wan Gata Lon, succulent lamb stir-fried with green curry paste, sweet basil, lime leaves, green beans and chilli, served on a sizzling hot plate. The Som Tum Supparod Pla Tod consists of crispy haddock served with a spicy Som Tum salad and fruity pineapple. 

Dishes making a comeback include the Gae Kiew Wan Gata Lon, succulent lamb stir-fried with green curry paste, sweet basil, lime leaves, green beans and chilli, served on a sizzling hot plate. The Som Tum Supparod Pla Tod consists of crispy haddock served with a spicy Som Tum salad and fruity pineapple. 

Diners will be able to pair these nostalgic dishes with the current specials on the modern day menu for a true time-travelling experience through the senses.

Read More: Top ten places to eat out in Leeds for under £10

Image: Sukhothai

Speaking of the forthcoming birthday, Ban said:

‘’Leeds has been my home for over 20 years now, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved at Sukhothai since our humble beginnings back in 2002. Leeds is a fantastic city, full of warm and welcoming people, and one of the most diverse food scenes you’ll find in the world.’’

‘’I’m also lucky enough to call so many customers and team members my friends. I’ve been part of countless engagements, birthdays, graduations and seen children grow up into young adults.’’

‘’I’m eternally grateful to everyone that has supported me over the years and can’t wait to see our most loyal and longstanding customers enjoy our special birthday menu. Removing some of these classic specials from our menu wasn’t always an easy decision, but we always aim to evolve at Sukhothai, and our customers appreciate this.’’

Image: PGHL

‘’The Seafood Platter, in particular, will be welcomed back with open arms, I’ve had so many customers ask when it’s coming back. I look forward to seeing you all, to raise a glass to 20 years. Here’s to the next 20!’’

The menu will be available for 20 days from Tuesday 26 April - Sunday 15 May 2022.

Feature Image- PGHL

Leeds

Female-founded independent jewellery brand to open in Leeds’ Victoria Gate

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.

Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.

Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.

Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business. 

Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.

Image: Supplied

The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.

After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.

"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”

Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.

"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."

We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.

Read more: 10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Well...this is a new one.

Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.

Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.

The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.

Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.

And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.

Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.

You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...

No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.

The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer. 

John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by. 

“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.” 

Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.

Read more: Leeds crowned one of Europe’s ‘best’ cities alongside 17 other British places

Featured image - Divert

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