A pub in Meanwood famed for its Sunday roasts and small plates has been crowned the Pub of the Year at The Great British Pub Awards 2021, with judges noting how it supported its community during the pandemic.
Coming out top in the Stonegate Group Pub Partners’ Pub of the Year category, the Myrtle Tavern was acknowledged as having become a hub for charity events and community initiatives since business partners Scott Westlake and Rob Vallance took over its management in 2011.
Image: The Myrtle Tavern
During the pandemic and successive lockdowns, the pub has stepped up for its regulars and locals: offering a befriending service to those who were finding lockdown lonely and hosting live quizzes to bring the community together.
The team at The Myrtle also helped those in need by dropping off parcels and even delivered Sunday lunches to some of their customer's doorsteps.
This, in turn, meant that the community gave back in kind too - donating to fundraising efforts that were set up to help the pub survive as lockdown continued for the best part of a year and government support for small business proved to be minimal.
Image: The Myrtle Tavern
Despite having been closed for most of 2020, the team managed to expand - finding, like many hospitality businesses, that the new covid restrictions required greater manpower.
Earlier this year, the pub even transformed its outdoor space into a "secret garden" with a big screen for films and sports screenings - making it even more popular and leading to thousands of bookings flooding in.
Image: The Myrtle Tavern
The co-owners found out they'd taken home the gong via a live-stream hosted by Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, and were absolutely thrilled with the result.
Scott said, "It has been a challenging time for the hospitality industry, and for us here at the Myrtle. We have faced many obstacles, but it’s taught us just how important a pub can be for the local community.
"We are honoured to have won and I would like to dedicate this award to my team and our loyal customers for all their support. I look forward to what is to come for the Myrtle Tavern this year and beyond.”
Image: The Myrtle Tavern
Sharing the news on social media, the team dedicated the award to on of their first customers, John Jordan, and thanked their whole 'Myrtle family' for their support:
"Over 3500 pubs in our category, down to 6 finalists and last night we were announced as the winner of Stonegate pub or the year.
"Overwhelming to say the least and we were shocked, Thank you to our Myrtle family and our customers for all your support.
"Dedicating this award to our friend and one of our first customers when we moved in 10 years ago, John Jordan who we still sadly miss. He would have loved to talk about this and wind us up."
To find out more about the pub visit its website here. Note that the kitchen is currently closed for refurbishment until 6 October 2021.
Feature image - The Myrtle Tavern
News
Plans for Leeds Kirkgate Market ‘container village’, STACK, take huge step forward
A planning application has been submitted for a ‘container village’ attraction at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
It was submitted today, Friday 27 March, by STACK Leisure - a company that already runs popular food, drink and entertainment hubs in Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The proposed STACK Leeds venue would be a two-storey structure made up of repurposed shipping containers, located in Leeds Kirkgate Market’s outdoor trading area.
It would feature six bars, eight street food outlets, a coffee shop, a large stage for live entertainment and giant digital screens.
The development is expected to increase footfall and broaden the customer base across the market and would also benefit the wider city centre and its existing hospitality businesses.
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK Leisure, said: “We know from our previous experience that once STACK opens it brings huge economic benefits to the wider area.
“It will turn a spotlight on the Leeds Kirkgate Market area and bring in greatly increased footfall, not just to STACK Leeds but to both the indoor and outdoor market. One of the many reasons we are successful is because we offer something for everyone – we are family friendly, pet friendly and our entertainment programme is designed to have widespread appeal.
“It is important for us to become part of the local community and celebrate it, while supporting independent businesses at the same time. We firmly believe that STACK Leeds will be a huge asset to the city and we look forward to moving on with the scheme.”
Kikgate Market’s outdoor trading area currently has room for a total of 185 stalls, with around 85 of those being filled.
Should STACK Leeds secure planning approval, the number of pitches would be reduced and the freed-up space used as the location for the scheme.
Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
30th September 2021 
