There's a gorgeous little seafood stall at Kirkgate Market selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.60 a pop - and after just one taste I've already fallen completely, head over heels in love with the place.
Called Hayes Seafood, it is run by a lovely couple who tell me their stall has been a fixture on Kirkgate's Meat and Fish Row for 38 years now. In these days and times, sticking around for that long is no mean feat.
Their popularity, I soon learn, is well-earned. Stopping by at the start of the lunch rush, the stall is already busy but as the hour goes by the queues really start to form as old and young alike jostle in line for their fix.
Image: The Hoot Eats
Specialising in locally sourced Yorkshire crab, oysters and more, Hayes' glass display counters are broken up by small corner tables, with room for just five covers to sit down on little wooden stools and snack on some of Leeds' freshest seafood at any one time.
I'll admit, the cute little counter seating has caught my eye on visits to the market before but I've foolishly walked past many times without sampling its delights.
To give you an idea of how long I've spent umming and erring, not wanting to eat alone, when I first spotted Hayes its oysters were actually only £1. It's ironic, then, that I end up doing just that - and on Valentine's Day, of all days.
Image: The Hoot Eats
A lone single amongst groups of couples, I wait my turn for a seat feeling a little awkward. As soon as I sit down, though, a warm and genuine greeting puts me completely at ease. I confess I felt a little silly, having put off the pleasure for so long.
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. On my flyby lunchtime visit, I'm given a choice of two different oyster styles: super salty Irish Points and the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
I opt for a couple of each, left to garnish them myself with squeezes of fresh lemon, sharp, pickled shallots, and a few fiery dashes of Tabasco. It's a quick lunch but a pleasurable one, and I even manage to make a single oyster-eating friend.
Also on the counter, there are handpicked Kings Lynn whelks, king prawns and mussels, as well as some vegan-friendly options such as prawn-flavoured 'shapes' and imitation lobster tails - perfect for those plant-based people that miss their seafood.
The only thing I'm missing is a nice glass of wine, although a friend tells me he has gone down with his own bottle of Moscato before and had no trouble so I might try that on my next trip down.
Well worth a visit, after popping by it's easy to see why this charming seafood stall has lasted in the market for three generations. Long may it continue.
Feature image - The Hoot Eats
Feature
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
Inside the Leeds factory that makes and supplies classic jukeboxes
Thomas Melia
This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.
Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.
This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.
The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.
Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.
This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.
So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".
One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.
And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.
With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.
However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.
If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
14th February 2023 
