Leeds' favourite 'modern kind of deli' is growing yet again.
Taking over the former The Pantry site on Roundhay Road in Oakwood, The Cheesy Living Co. is going to be bringing a new multi-storey store to the suburbs, and it's set to bring everything we love about the flagship Corn Exchange store, and plenty more besides.
Think cheesemongers meets 'posh off licence', with fresh coffee in the daytime, fondue in the afternoon and cosy nights with a bottle of sustainable wine.
It's safe to say that the fondue offering at the Corn Exchange has been a huge success, where else in the city centre can you dip rosemary and paprika potatoes, crusty baguette bits and even Yorkshire puds into a molten pot of gooey Swiss cheese? Naturally this will be a big feature at the new Cheesy Living Co. site, with space for 35 seats on the lower level of the store.
Sunday lunch fondue at The Cheesy Living Co. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Expect everything you love about the Corn Exchange store - and more besides, from the new Oakwood opening.
The space also plans to be used for fine dining and collab nights, working with local independents to bring three course dinners (usually with a nod to the cheese selection instore, of course), enhancing the existing offering that's brought foodies into the Corn Ex on a Thursday night for the past year or so.
And that's not all, by day, you'll be able to grab a coffee and shop for all your favourite cheese and charcuterie (yes, the cheese fridge in Oakwood is going to be even bigger), as well as sustainable wines, Thiccc sauces, Stuzzi 'nduja ketchup, Reet Yorkshire Relishes, Yorkshire crisps and all those all-important kitchen items that the Corn Exchange site is currently overflowing with.
North Brewing Co. beers and a selection of wines will be available on-tap for cosy autumn evenings hiding out in the suburbs - this exciting new opening really does have a function for every meal, occasion and season, and with anything unlike it in the area, we can't wait to see how well the 'modern kind of deli' is received.
The Cheesy Living Co. owners Jake and Soph said that months ago they walked past The Pantry and peering in, instantly began daydreaming about what they could do with a larger space in the suburbs.
Owners of The Pantry closed last week with a heartfelt message, explaining that they "have had an offer we cannot refuse and will be passing over the unit to a super exciting business", and with a desire to focus on their exciting catering business Blue Pepper Catering, it was the perfect opportunity to hand over the reigns and let another indie business take over the Roundhay Road site.
That's one (of the million) reasons to support your local independents, there's a true community going on behind the scenes, each championing on the next - and this is just one example of how The Cheesy Living Co. and The Pantry have paved the path for each other to follow.
There's no opening date announced just yet as renovations are still taking place, but Jake and Soph hope to open the store around mid-late November.
We can't wait to
About The Cheesy Living Co.
The Cheesy Living Co. has quickly become Leeds go-to supplier for all things cheese, charcuterie and 'posh' off licence bits like sustainable wines and sauces.
After taking a passion project full-time during the second Covid lockdown, owners Jake and Soph haven’t looked back since the launch of The Cheesy Living Co. in 2020 - and it's easy to see why the duo have had so much success over the past three years.
Supplying the likes of renowned chef Matt Healy’s Horsforth restaurant Forde with farmer’s cured meats and ingredients, but still managing to attend just about every small business and foodie market across the city, The Cheesy Living Co. is one of the most humbled businesses in Leeds.
Aware of the popularity of their products, but taking things slow and making conscious business decisions, co-owner Jake spent years in hospitality before taking the plunge to launch his own business- and the time spent learning the intricacies of the industry shows.
With the help Soph, the other half of the business, the pair is ensuring that The Cheesy Living Co. is slowly making its way around the Leeds foodie scene – and now with their pup Cheddar joining the team and a second store opening, it really feels like the indie deli company is taking over the city and suburbs, in the best possible way.
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.
Sophie Smith -
26th October 2023 
