Summer weekends are soon to be jam-packed with some of the very best street food, drink, music and entertainment.
Does anything scream summer more than a street food festival? We don't think so.
And luckily for us, the Tower Works Street Fest is returning from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 of June.
From the talented team behind the award-winning North Leeds, Harrogate, Ilkley and Ripley Castle Food & Drink Festivals, the Tower Works Street Fest at Mustard Wharf was a huge success last year and this event will be no different.
Image: Supplied
The market will be in Verona Square, just off Globe Road and surrounded by Tower Works and its three iconic Venetian towers which dominate the skyline.
The towers are home to popular attractions like BAKE, Midnight Bell, Cross Keys, 92 Degrees Coffee and Barrecore – as well as been situated beside the scenic canal and just a stone’s throw from Leeds Train Station.
Festival guests can “expect a jam-packed lineup of some of the best street food and drink vendors, artisan markets, independent bars, groovy tunes as well as plenty of furniture to lounge on”.
Tower Works Street Fest Production Manager Michael Johnston, said: “The vibe was incredible last year and we can’t wait to bring back this event at the picturesque Tower Works, making it even better than the last. With top-notch international food and drink vendors from across the north to host the festival each month, it’s shaping up to be another belter.
Image: Supplied
“With the warmer, lighter days and the calibre of shops around the area, it has soon become a buzzing hotspot.”
They’ll be welcoming some tempting vendors this year, such as Wagyu Lookin’ At?, Punjabi Heaven, Eyup Thai, HAO BAO, Kurdish Kitchen and Dappa Desserts.
The festival will run every first weekend of the month for the rest of the year, including June, July, August and September.
Paul Winterburn, of Mustard Wharf, added: “We’re so excited to see Tower Works Street Fest become a venue for community events. This is how we designed it to be used, and it always felt like the right decision to share this iconic location for events with the wider community."
For more details, including more information on vendors and stalls, take a look at the Tower Works Street Fest event page.
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.
Clementine Hall -
28th May 2025 
