Independent cafe, 'Bruschetta' is supporting local businesses and serving up the freshest and most innovative brunch dishes in the city.
The Corn Exchange on Call Lane is home to some brilliant independent cafes and boutiques which showcase the creativity and fantastic community spirit of Leeds. Cosy coffee shop and cafe 'Bruschetta' are no exception.
Nestled in the magnificence of the Corn Exchange's gothic interior, the atmosphere is light and airy, making it the perfect spot for a brunch with friends or mid-week meeting.
Image: Bruschetta
Opening just 15 months ago, the small team at Bruschetta have found the winning formula for success. The menu is small but the flavours are not, each item is carefully thought through and brunch classics are given an exciting twist with their homemade sauces and spices.
But first, let's talk about the coffee. The beans are sourced and roasted from a local company in Sheffield and are then left to breathe for 14 days before serving. The magic formula for the perfect cup of joe is then decided on each morning, depending on the specific conditions and climate on that day. Seems like a lot of work for a cup of coffee but my god, I can confirm it was worth it. I'll be going back again and again for my daily oat milk flat white fix.
Image: The Hoot
Now for the food. Each morning the ingredients are sourced from Leeds market and you can definitely tell; the dishes are fresh, vibrant and flavoursome whilst also being great value for money. I opted for the Full Algerian breakfast which consisted of harissa spiced cannellini beans on toasted bruschetta, topped off with an oozing poached egg and spiced merguez sausage. The final touch is a house-made roasted pine nut and za'atar oil which I now need a bottle of. The flavours were punchy but perfectly balanced and left me wanting to sample all the other savoury options on the menu.
Image: The Hoot
But of course I had to leave room for something sweet and the french toast with caramelised apricots and mango certainly did not disappoint. Lacquered apricots lay on a healthy hunk of toasted brioche, topped off with a dollop of Cornish clotted cream and a sprinkling of saffron. This wasn't overly sweet and the tartness of the apricots really shone through whilst the mango coulis swirled with the clotted cream to create an indulgent sauce for the pillowy brioche to mop up.
In an attempt to offset all that naughtiness, I went for a freshly squeezed orange, carrot and ginger juice. They have a juice menu which changes depending on the fresh fruit available at the market or you can make your own by picking your fruits from the market style set-up at the counter.
Image: Bruschetta
With a seasonal menu which changes regularly, I'll certainly be going back time and time again. Not only to taste the delicious food and drink but to see the lovely staff whom gave me the warmest welcome and shared their vast knowledge and passion for local business with me.
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Clementine Hall -
24th March 2022 
