Leeds Pubs, Clubs, Bars and Restaurants

[Leeds No.1]

Read the article.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

So basically corporate greed has now meant they've lost a presence in probably the most profitable suburb in the city; I imagine more so than many small towns. I wish Hannan every success in opening there.

Foolish decision on Starbucks part effectively giving up on their presence in Headingley although it would certainly be very nice to see this Macy's Coffee Shop open at the former Starbucks and give a break form anytown chainyness at what is rather an attractive building. Does anyone know what the Starbucks was before it became a Starbucks? Im guessing a bank or building society considering appearance (a Leeds Permanent Building Society perhaps?).

Starbucks Clarence Dock:


Still it makes Starbucks Headingley the fourth in the Leeds area to close down following the Starbucks at Clarence Dock (perhaps due to lack of custom although I would have thought there would have been plenty of residents nearby plus office workers and visitors to the Armouries who would use it) and Starbucks at Borders Bookshops on Briggate and at Birstall Retail Park when the book store chain went under (although Starbucks had branches opposite Borders on Briggate anyway and a Starbucks latterly reopened in Birstall alongside a Krispy Kreme at the former Exchange Bar & Grill). Also there are suburban Starbucks of sorts in addition to the Starbucks on Street Lane, Roundhay at Village Hotels in Far Headingley and Morley (are they open to non residents?).

I can't think of any closures for the other big three coffee shops (Nero / Costa / Starbucks) other than Costa closing a short lived branch within Abbey National on Park Row.

[Immunda Leodis]

I think it basically comes down to supply and demand. There is an over supply of coffee shops and I think that people are becoming wiser and cutting out a coffee or two a day. It's certainly the case at my work, which is served by Starbucks. Despite it being subsidised some people were spending £500 - £1k p/a in there and are cutting back.

[Leeds_G]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

Read the article.

I did.

Another retailer thinks they can make a go of it, and good for them, I hope it works out. Starbucks clearly thought the profits (if any) they made in that location was not high enough to justify the rent in that location. Hardly foolish on their part.

[Suburban Knight]

Anybody know the status of that vacant property on the corner of Call Lane and Duncan Street? It's been derelict for years! Very surprised it hasn't become a bar, considering the popularity of the area.

[Aaronj09]

I was wondering that myself too, everytime I've passed it it's always been empty and unused.. a shame really, it's a pretty attractive area! (for the most part)

[lazygamer]

Originally Posted by Suburban Knight

Anybody know the status of that vacant property on the corner of Call Lane and Duncan Street? It's been derelict for years! Very surprised it hasn't become a bar, considering the popularity of the area.

Earlier this year a couple of those units got a lick of paint, but nothing's happened since. The office space above it appears to be in a timewarp (before that lick of paint was carried out there was some abandoned office equipment visible through one of the windows including an punch card clock).

[FreddyFresher]

Perhaps proximity to the Duncan pub is putting off prospective tenants.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by FreddyFresher

Perhaps proximity to the Duncan pub is putting off prospective tenants.

Can't see why not considering the fact just around the corner is perhaps one of the most diverse streets for bars and surely that corner unit has to be a potential gold mine i'd have thought.

Which brewery owns the Duncan pub? Surely that pub has long had a reputation.

Does anyone remember the long empty Franks International hairdressers in that neck of the woods with long disused hairdressing equipment visible through the windows. http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Leeds...224.95,,0,-3.9

[Shiny_Dave]

Not sure whether this is an urban myth but I've been told that the units from the Duncan all the way round to Normans are owned by Sam Smiths - the owner of The Duncan.

Googled it and found reference on Secret Leeds. The unit on the corner was another Sams pub called the Star & Garter.

here
here

[oyster]

Originally Posted by Shiny_Dave

Not sure whether this is an urban myth but I've been told that the units from the Duncan all the way round to Normans are owned by Sam Smiths - the owner of The Duncan.

Probably true - Sam Smith owns a lot of property all over the country. Personally I love Sam Smith pubs (used to work in one myself) - a real marmite selection of pubs though, they're either excellent or very bad, especially some in central Leeds (Duncan & Elliot good examples of bad places). Been in the Angel tonight though, great pub - spend much of my time in there.

[Suburban Knight]

The Nags Head in CHapel Allerton is a bizarre time warp back to the 70s! Likewise with the (non Sam Smiths owned) Fleece in Horsforth.

I love proper dated places like that - they should be preserved... not everyone wants flashing quiz machines and 10 MTV screens showing the Black Eyed Peas in every corner!

[flange]

Originally Posted by flange

The former Mobin unit under offer to Frankie and Bennys.

Job vacancies have already been advertised or are being advertised for Frankie and Bennys.

Frankie & Benny's arrive at Leeds Crown Point Shopping Park

Following the demise of the Homeform Group, Wilkinson Williams, acting on behalf of Aviva Investors/The Crown Estate, have taken back the lease from the administrators of the Homeform Group and have let the 3,590 sq ft former Sharps Bedrooms unit to Frankie & Benny's at a new rent of £37.00 per sq ft.

Frankie & Benny's took access in mid October and will open for trade before Chrismas 2011.

This restaurant unit will be in addition to the existing facilities offered by Costa Coffee, Subway and the cafes within M&S and Asda Living.

http://www.wilkinsonwilliams.co.uk/h....php?rowid=564

[HOI]

Originally Posted by FreddyFresher

Perhaps proximity to the Duncan pub is putting off prospective tenants.

Wash your mouth out, fine establishment is The Duncan.

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by HOI

Wash your mouth out, fine establishment is The Duncan.

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-duncan-leeds

This pub is one of those that, thanks to the smoking ban, you'll never just casually pop in to for a pint. I did this once, before the ban, and I can tell you it was an ill-advised risk to take! I hadn't been living in Leeds for long and so hadn't yet gotten savvy to the best watering holes. I was on my way to Call Lane to see a friend's gig and was early, so decided to pop into The Duncan and pass half an hour before meeting everyone.

Initially it wasn't so bad, there were a few very local types who stared at me without blinking, but the young bar man was pretty friendly. Then one of the locals and his girlfriend befriended me. At first it was just quirky little comments and amusement at my being from 'dahrn sarth', or from the south of England. Before long the two of them seemed to want to be my bezzie mate and go out on the town as a merry threesome. It was all fairly intimidating. I made my excuses and quick footed out of there, checking my back. Since then I've been laughed at a lot by friends in Leeds for ever having dared to set foot in there, according to them the place is none too friendly as the night goes on.

I can't say the look, or scent, of the place has changed a great deal since. The main difference is that the locals convene as much on the pavement as inside on account of the old smoking ban. If you are planning on becoming an old Yorkshire gurner sort, then start drinking here. Other than that, there's not much else there for you except a rather risky pint of real ale.

[cmj]

According to the council planning website, the Headingley Nandos application has been withdrawn.

[oyster]

Originally Posted by cmj

According to the council planning website, the Headingley Nandos application has been withdrawn.

Disappointing.

[Aaronj09]

Originally Posted by HOI

Wash your mouth out, fine establishment is The Duncan.

I pass it frequently, looks dodgy.

[cmj]

Originally Posted by Aaronj09

I pass it frequently, looks dodgy.

I'd pass on the other side of the road..

[lazygamer]

Originally Posted by Aaronj09

I pass it frequently, looks dodgy.

My bus drops off outside there, you can gauge how good a night its customers had by the amount of blood on the pavement outside the pub.