Leeds pub to reopen as Irish venue with live music after £430k investment
The new pub is expected to open in time for Christmas
A Leeds city centre pub which has been closed for four years is set to reopen as a new Irish pub.
The George on Great George Street, opposite Leeds General Infirmary, will be transformed into The Galway Girl following a £430,000 investment by Star Pubs and West Yorkshire pub operators TL Inns.
Work is due to begin on September 28, with the new pub expected to open in mid-November and create 15 jobs.
It will be TL Inns' second Irish pub named The Galway Girl, following the opening of its first in Pontefract in July 2024.
The company says the Leeds pub will be designed as a traditional Irish local.
The exterior will be redecorated with new signage and lighting, while topiary and planters will be added around the building.
Its small courtyard garden will also be revamped with barrel tables, chairs and planters.
Inside, the pub will have two bars, with one on the ground floor and another in the basement, which will double as a private function space.
The design will take inspiration from a Victorian city pub, with wood panelling, timber floors, glass-etched room dividers, deep-buttoned leather seating and brass and glass pendant lights.
There will be live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, alongside quizzes, rock 'n' roll bingo and Sky Sports shown across five TVs.
The pub will also serve barista-style coffee, brunch and all-day food.
Drinks will include three cask ales, premium beers and lagers including Murphy's, Guinness, Cruzcampo and Heineken, as well as wines, spirits, cocktails and low and no-alcohol options.
The Galway Girl will be open from noon until midnight Monday to Saturday and from noon until 11pm on Sundays.
Tony Lumb, founder of TL Inns and licensee of The Galway Girl, said: “We’ve had a tremendous success with our first Irish pub. I have every confidence that this Leeds city centre pub will be equally popular, breathing new life into a derelict building.
“The location and bones of the pub are great. It will be really lovely once it has had investment and a sympathetic refurbishment.
“Authentic Irish pubs, as opposed to theme pubs, are having a moment. People want the craic, the warm and welcoming atmosphere and live entertainment that they associate with a proper Irish pub.”
The pub will also offer a Blue Light discount to NHS and healthcare workers, emergency services workers, members of the armed forces, teachers and social workers.
Len Jackson, investment manager at Star Pubs, said Mr Lumb had 38 years' experience in the pub trade and had a track record of developing venues across West Yorkshire.
He said: “Tony has a great track record of turning around pubs and creating popular spaces for people to socialise in.
“Good standards, excellent product, customer service and entertainment underpin his success.”
The investment comes as work is also being carried out on two other TL Inns venues in partnership with Star Pubs – The Black Bull in Shepley and Will O Nats in Huddersfield.
Mr Lumb is also revamping his Big Fellas nightclub in Pontefract.