A Leeds restaurant group has surprised its foodie fans by making the decision to expand into the world of beauty by adding a salon to its repertoire.
The team behind Culto Italian and Poco Sicilian have taken over Spirals, a Meanwood hair salon that has been on the same parade as them for decades.
They made the decision to take on the salon after finding out that the previous owner was planning to retire, feeling that it would be a shame to lose such a piece of Meanwood history if the new owners decided to turn it into something else altogether.
The team behind Culto Italian and Poco Sicilian have taken over the Spirals, a Meanwood hair salon that has been on the same parade as them for decades / Image: LINEA
"Just like this, right in the middle of the pandemic, lockdown, and staff shortages, we took over the business to keep it as a hairdressers salon," the team said in a social media post.
"The main idea was to create the salon that we ourselves and all residents would want to visit regularly. The perfect destination where you could escape your daily routine, relax and treat yourself without breaking the bank. An affordable indulgence, if you want.'
The team is known in Leeds for its popular Italian eateries POCO Sicilian (team pictured) and CULTO / Image: Poco Sicilian
Applying the concept of “Beauty in Simplicity” to the new salon, which they've named LINEA, the space is dedicated to enhancing your natural beauty - offering treatments on everything from hair to brows and nails.
Following the mantra of "less is more" they promise they won't be offering anything "artificial or over the top, only the necessary treatments that will make you feel and look beautiful."
"We know, it sounds ridiculous - a team specialising in restaurants have decided to go into beauty now. To be honest, there was not a single day when we haven’t regretted this decision," they continued.
"But, on the other hand, we’ve created CULTO and Poco from scratch once, and we are up for a challenge, even if we have to completely step out of our comfort zone this time."
The salon is located on the same parade as restaurant CULTO / Image: CULTO
As well as helping you to perfect your hair, brows and nails, further treatments on offer at the salon will also include lashes.
Keeping in step with the ethos of the restaurants, products used in the salon will be vegan and cruelty-free.
The team will be using the Kevin Murphy range for hair treatments and colouring, which they say are the "best on the market" for those who want organic, cruelty-free, sulphate and paraben-free vegan products.
To create ethical but stylish nails, meanwhile, they'll be working with The Gel Bottle company - which is also 100% cruelty-free and vegan.
The CULTO team pictured outside their restaurant on the Meanwood parade / Image: CULTO
Explaining their decision to take over the salon, the team said: "When we first found out last year that the owner of the Spirals, the hair salon that’s been on our parade for decades, decided to retire and sell the business, we thought it would be a shame to lose this piece of Meanwood history if the new owners would turn it into something completely different.
Followers were quick to offer their support, with one commenting "This will be a great addition to Meanwood, look forward to visiting."
Another simply said, "You guys are amazing!"
To keep up to date with LINEA, you can follow them on Instagram here and find the salon at 93 Stainbeck Road, Meanwood, Leeds.
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
Georgina Pellant -
13th September 2021 
