But it turns out the property isn't going to be vacant for long.
Longtime friends and Leeds indie business owners Paul Bolster and Nick Julian have announced they will be joining forces and putting their combined experience to good use to take over the former Pizza Loco site on Roundhay Road and open a new pizzeria.
Paul Bolster is the owner of Tasty Kitchen & Coffee, a local family-friendly brunch spot on Roundhay Road that's been offering coffee, cake and catering since 2008 next door to the site, meanwhile Nick Julian's experience comes from his current NYC pizza venture Pizza Freak in Kirkstall, but was previously the man behind Simpatico in Queen's Arcade, Primo's Hot Dogs in the Corn Exchange and Union Square in the Merrion Centre.
Named Ottimo, the pizza concept is focused on quality ingredients, balanced flavours and a 'tried and tested dough process, focusing on the small details to create a really special product'.
Owner Nick Julian comments: "Paul and I have always shared the same values around creating products that really exceed expectations and now this opportunity has given us the chance to work together."
"When Paul's next door neighbour announced their re-location it felt like this was the moment!"
Ottimo is set to offer a range of wood fired pizza and small plates, with a focus on seasonality, flavours and textures, ensuring Oakwood has an indie pizzeria on Roundhay Road once more.
The exact opening date is yet to be revealed, but all information is said to be announced via Instagram here.
Feature Image - Pizza Freak / Pizza Loco
New Openings
Buckle Up Cowgirl – A rodeo bar has opened in Leeds, with a mechanical bull inside
Here's one you don't hear every day - a new rodeo bar has opened in Leeds city centre, complete with a mechanical bull you can ride.
Buckle Up Cowgirl is set to become the hottest night out in Leeds for country music fans, anyone who loves a silly activity with their cocktails, and American sports lovers too.
Taking over a spot on Millennium Square, the brand-new bar is the first rodeo bar in West Yorkshire (no great surprise there).
It's promising 'wide rides, good times, and long nights', with country anthems blasting round the clock.
Inside Buckle Up Cowgirl, you can expect cowboy hats aplenty, Nashville-inspired cocktails, and a full-on rodeo bull.
There'll be line dancing sessions on Thursdays and and Sundays so you can grapevine to your heart's content in front of a decorative Harley Davidson bike.
They’ll also be showing American sports on the big screens (which isn't easy to find in Leeds), with NFL Sundays every week.
And it wouldn't be a new bar opening without a photo booth, so they've got one of those too.
Buckle Up Cowgirl is opening on 24 April, so grab a whiskey on the rocks and get ready to saddle up.
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Sophie Smith -
26th February 2024 
