Leeds

The team behind The Tetley says “plans are no longer viable” to reopen in 2024

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 14th March 2024

Popular Leeds arts and foodie venue The Tetley closed its doors at the end of last year.

Originally, the plans were to continue its artistic programme this year, but will move off the site.

The team behind The Tetley announced that they had "been working hard to identify a new home in Leeds with several partners, collaborating on what seemed like very promising outcomes – but due to the financial climate these plans have not materialised".

And this means that the plan to open a new venue in Leeds City Centre are no longer viable.

In a heartfelt statement the team explained that "The Tetley building made all sorts of things possible for us. We welcomed over a million visitors, presented Yorkshire’s only Turner Prize winning exhibition, supported artists in developing their careers and reached thousands of children and families through our Tiny Tetley Studio and workshops. We’re immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved".

Confirmed projects like Inside Out, ‘a new participatory art project designed to facilitate children’s play in collaboration with communities and partner organisations in Beeston and Beeston Hill’, are still taking place and there's also a play project in collaboration with Hamara Healthy Living Centre and Rowland Road WMC, and Town Island, a artist Benaiah Matheson’s presentation supported by us to go to the Venice Biennale to look forward to.

Some of the confirmed 2024 projects are still going ahead. / Image: The Tetley

The Tetley says it is working closely with Arts Council England and Leeds City Council and prioritising its "mission as a charity as we search for a new home".

"To mark this new chapter, we’ll announce a new name and identity later in 2024."

"We believe in the power and importance of contemporary art – and it’s what we’ll continue to champion, support and make happen.

"So, we’ll see you soon. Not at The Tetley, but perhaps at the train station; in your nearby community centre; your local park; or across the streets of our city."

You can read the full statement here.

What is happening to The Tetley building?

Vastint UK is the developer behind the plans for the 92-year-old building, which will be a part of Aire Park – the 24-acre, multi-use district on Leeds’ South Bank.

Image: Vastint

The new proposals of The Tetley include roof terraces, a new cellar bar and restaurant as well as the retention of many historic features, including the war memorial and the boardroom.

The Tetley building will be the focal point for the Aire Park district which includes up to 1,400 new homes and 85,000 m2 of office space.

Image: Vastint UK

The proposed plans include:

  • The basement level being transformed into a bar and restaurant area and opened up to the public for the first time in the building’s history
  • The ground floor to feature a new food hall as well as new amenities including Changing Places facilities
  • The first-floor plans show an event space and business lounge
  • Office space will appear on the second and third floors of the building
  • An extension will be added to the eastern façade of the building, which has traditionally always been connected to other buildings within the brewery complex

You can find out more about the history of The Tetley building and why its become such an iconic Leeds landmark here.

Read More:

Feature Image - The Tetley

Leeds

A new Turkish-inspired street food spot serving homemade shawarma is coming to Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.

Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.

Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.

The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.

According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.

For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.

Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.

Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.

Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.

The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.

There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.

The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.

The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.

The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.

Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.

Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”

They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."

We really couldn't agree more.

And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.

Read more: Leeds restaurant crowned one of the best local restaurants in Britain just three months after opening

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds


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