Rounding off our series of '2023 according to' the businesses that shape Leeds.
2023 has been a huge year – but nobody knows the ins and outs of the city better than the independent businesses that keep the cogs whirring – and so rather than us telling you what’s been going on this year, we’ve reached out to five different small business owners to give us the lowdown on 2023.
And who better to ask than Chapter 81, an award-winning PR, social and content firm that knows everything there is to know about the city months before anyone else.
Simon Fogal, the Managing Director, has been involved in a huge array of projects, including Leeds International Festival of Ideas, Thackray Museum of Medicine's acclaimed 'On The Bench' exhibition, and were responsible for highlighting The Queen's gingerbread house you might have seen on City Square in the festive build-up.
Image: Chapter 81
So here's what he had to say about the year gone by, and everything to be excited for in 2024...
It’s been one heck of a year! What have you been up to? Tell us about any major events, exciting moments etc.
We picked up our first award which is interesting for us as we don’t normally put ourselves up for this. We were awarded Best Independent PR Specialists 2023 in the Northern Enterprise Awards, we won this based on the bespoke services we now offer.
2023 has been a fantastic celebration of the brilliant culture Leeds has, and we've been grateful to have worked with some of our longstanding clients, as well as some brand new ones, to truly showcase this. From launching the critically acclaimed 'On The Bench' exhibition at Thackray Museum of Medicine, to capturing photography and video content for renowned music festival company 'Superstruct', we did a regional media campaign for WOW Festival too, to leading on the socials for event giants ‘Hedonist Events' and ‘Endpoint Creates', we've seen our creativity flourish.
We were very proud to have worked with LeedsBID on various projects, from the monumental 'Christmas At The Queen's' projection show (which had 100,000 people visit the installation over the 9 nights), to leading on the press and content capturing of the Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023 as well as producing and making LIFICAST (the festival’s podcast) and LIFITV was new this year.
The team at LeedsBID have brought truly remarkable names to the city, including entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, comedian and writer Ruby Wax OBE, drag sensation Bimini and renowned actor Christopher Eccleston. The stellar lineup of celebrities weaved into the team's work has been truly remarkable. We also made some incredible films (that we sadly can’t share) for LeedsBID AGM which was a big piece of work at the beginning of the year.
We've also had a great year celebrating all things food! From new events at Chow Down (Wing Fest was a highlight) to launching the brilliant Flat Iron in Leeds, and have supported a variety of other local businesses throughout the year. We've led on all of the video and social media content for Welcome to Leeds, seeing us capture and review some fantastic new spots in the city, including Blue Sakura, Farmhouse, The Indian Tiffin Room, Pizza Pilgrims, and Empire Cafe.
What was one highlight from 2023 that you’ll always remember?
There have been some fantastic highlights throughout this year, as the teams we have worked with have made an incredible impact on Leeds' vibrant culture and community. However, nothing stands out more to us than the launch of the remarkable Flat Iron. The steak pioneers declared in October that they would be opening their very first restaurant in the North of England, an announcement that got the whole region truly excited.
We were truly grateful to have led on the publicity and content for this incredible launch. From hosting key figures throughout Leeds, including city stakeholders, media and hospitality leaders, to trying the restaurant ahead of the launch, to orchestrating exclusive first looks and interviews, we had an exceptional time supporting this incredible restaurant. Of course, we must also mention the wagyu steak giveaway that took place the day before launch, which saw a crowd of over 300 queue to get their very first taste of the famed Flat Iron, and media coverage spread across the region.
We can’t really say much about a lot of the work, as with all new projects. However, a move into longer form content is happening and we can’t wait to get our teeth into this one. It will be a welcome relief to assist a client in uniting their several businesses into a single event powerhouse (more details on this early January). We have already begun to help shape up LIFI24 and it’s an incredible start to building on 2023 version of the festival, expect news in April. In addition, we are working on an exciting summertime Monopoly activation throughout Leeds and an Easter project with a space theme. Hopefully, the few projects on the TBC line of the spreadsheet, can be moved into a new column soon. Thackray will step into the world of Visual Art with a new exhibition and we are working on a new TikTok series for them (think CBBC).
Where is one place that people should go and visit next year?
For anybody moving to the city and unsure of a place to get settled, you should turn your attention to The Junction. Uniquely built on one of Leeds' stunning old viaduct, the stylish new apartment complex in the heart of Leeds is the perfect place for new people looking to rent, with an offering of communal work spaces, basketball courts, a private garden, lavish dining spaces to hire and a 24 hour reception service. Not only this, but The Junction also holds community and resident events every single day, inviting those living in the complex and beyond to enjoy a selection of activities, from wine tasting to fancy dress for pets (that's right - you can have pets live with you too). We will be helping them on some new events in 2024.
If, on the other hand, you are just visiting, the options are endless. For us, we'd personally recommend paying a visit to Flat Iron if you haven’t done so already? But we are looking forward to a few new openings including Bavette in Horsforth and the new larger Latitude Wines. We shall also see if all the food halls can keep up with demand as Kirkgate Market Food Hall welcomes new traders and the new White Cloth Hall opens, joining Trinity Kitchen and Northern Market.
One of the best days in the foodie calendar is hereand it's time to decide where you're going for the ultimate stack.
Whilst homemade pancakes hit the spot and attempting to flip them is definitely a laugh, it's always a treat to get out and about to celebrate the momentous occasion.
From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings - there's a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.
Keep reading for our top picks of cafes, restaurants and bars to visit this Pancake Day.
House of Koko
Chapel Allerton , Oakwood and Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
House of Koko are the absolute bees knees when it comes to brunch.
Their pancakes are fluffy, pillowy, light, perfectly formed and just down right delicious. The list of toppings is almost overwhelming and you can mix and match yours to your heart's content, we're talking bacon, biscoff, kinder bueno, toasted nuts, white choc chips, banana and even ice cream, the list really does go on but you'll be here all day.
Moose Coffee
Bond Court
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Given Canadian pancakes are a worldwide favourite, you'd expect the best pancakes to come from Moose Coffee. Made fresh to order, there's a stack of three dusted with icing sugar, dotted with blueberries and served with Canadian butter on offer as well as a Biscoff Stack made from three pancakes, biscoff sauce, vanilla ice cream, white choc shards, lotus biscuit.
Whatever your preference this Pancake Day, your combination of sweet and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to live up to the famous Canadian combination- maple syrup included.
Farmhouse
Lands Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Farmhouse are basically famous in the city for their epic stacks of pancakes, fluffy and loaded with all the toppings it's just what you want this Pancake Day.
If Up North
Call Lane or York Place
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a regular on the If Up North Instagram page, you'll know that these guys are big fans of pancakes. Given their obsession with posting their beautifully decorated variations online, we're confident that these pancakes will be lip-smacking, mouth-drooling good and packed with flavour.
Expect flavours like berry and Biscoff, fruits and cream, bacon and maple syrup as well as a whole host of different variations at any of their Leeds-based cafes.
North Star Coffee Shop
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Locally renowned for its coffee roast, North Star Coffee Shop is also a great contender for the best-looking pancakes around. Open from 8am this Shrove Tuesday, grab some fluffy pancakes topped with all the seasonal favourites they have on offer.
Galleria
Armley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Running from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February, you can bag yourself £1 pancakes with a huge range toppings like classic lemon and sugar, maple smoked bacon, fried egg and sausage, or singular toppings such as blueberries, avocado, IPA caramel and more.
You'll need to pre-book to secure your offer and when you arrive, pick up an order form from your server so you can select how many £1 pancakes you want, alongside your chosen toppings. Yeah, it’s really that flipping easy.
Laynes Espresso
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything Laynes touch turns to gold, and their pancakes are of course no exception.
They of course go perfectly with a heavenly cup of coffee served inside their dazzling bright yellow, life-affirming coffee shop.
10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
Clementine Hall
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Sophie Smith -
2nd January 2024 
