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This Leeds craft beer store stock over 900 varieties after transforming corner shop
The Singh family once stocked three types of lager, along with newspapers and groceries, but their former corner store now stocks a haven of craft beers.
Transforming a former post office and off-licence into a craft beer specialists store with over 900 varieties availablehas put the Singh family business, Raynville Superstore, on the map in Leeds.
A single grumbling customer's comment was all it took for the Singh's family-run corner shop to transform from a traditional corner store to a craft beer specialist recognised across the UK.
Originally a post office, the store was transformed into a bog-standard corner store in 2008: think your standard off-licence with limited groceries, newspapers and Carling, Carlsberg and Stella as the only lager options.
The Singh family have owned Raynville Superstore building for over 50 years, passing the line of work down through generations.
It was Johnny Singh, whose grew up watching his parents working the store that decided to make a switch after a customer complained there were 'no decent beers'.
The business are always keen for feedback and this was an opportunity to dabble in something "more interesting" than the standard stock shipped into the store.
Since making the investment into craft beers in 2013, the Singh family have now depleted their other stock so that they can focus entirely on selling their speciality alcohol.
The store operates through online orders that can then be collected from the Armley store. / Image: Tom Joy
The store now has over 900 varieties available and compete in a completely new market but it is their online store is what has made them a success across the UK.
Customers recognise Raynville Superstore as a leader in providing high-quality stock for reasonably low prices and has led to deliveries across the country: from Aberdeen to Brighton.
During the first wave of the pandemic, the store switched to online-only orders and although customers can now collect their goods in person, the same method of ordering online has stayed.
The company believe that this is a more beneficial way for the company to run. Their success meant that customers were queuing for 10-15 minutes to pay upon their visit, so ordering in advance has helped to reduce wait times.
Staying local is still important to Raynville Superstore and the Singh family will happily collect beers for the 'older regulars' when they knock on the window.
It' not just customers that the family are attracting; Kirkstall Brewery, Northern Monk and North Brewing Company are all important to the craft beer store. The Singh's believe in supporting local breweries and value independent businesses that allow them to store such an eclectic variety of lagers.
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.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
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.
Sophie Smith -
21st October 2021 
