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
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
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 -
30th September 2021 
