'We don’t see it as competition': Why Leeds’ independent restaurateurs are joining forces

Leeds’ independent hospitality scene has rarely felt more celebrated - or more under pressure.

From rising costs to recruitment struggles, challenges facing small restaurants, pubs and bars are mounting, businesses across the city are telling us.

But a new grassroots organisation, the Leeds Hospitality Collective, aims to turn that pressure into momentum by harnessing the city’s close-knit hospitality community to secure a stronger future.

Launched last week by Sandy Jarvis, co-owner of Bavette Bistro in Horsforth, and Sam Pullan of The Highland Laddie and Empire Cafe, the collective brings together independent hospitality operators from across the Leeds region.

Its mission is simple but ambitious: to provide a supportive space for business owners, give them a stronger collective voice and celebrate Leeds as one of the UK’s most exciting places to eat and drink.

Jarvis said the idea has been developing since Bavette opened two years ago, shaped by the unusually collaborative culture he found after moving north from London.

“I found it really amazing how supportive all of the other business owners are for anyone wanting to open a good hospitality business,” he said.

“People are so proud of Leeds. They just want it to be as amazing as it can be. They don’t see it as competition - more great places only add to the whole scene.”

That informal support network is now being formalised. After months of conversations and diary juggling - “it’s taken this long to actually get the video out,” Jarvis laughed - he and Pullan have launched the Leeds Hospitality Collective publicly with an introductory video and sign-up form.

The response has been immediate.

Within days, the launch video had been viewed tens of thousands of times, accompanied by what Jarvis described as “endless comments, almost exclusively really supportive”.

More importantly, around 70 hospitality businesses and supporters had already signed up, including restaurant, bar and pub owners, suppliers, mental health charities and PR agencies offering their support.

The collective will initially focus on Leeds, keeping its work rooted in the city. However, Jarvis stressed that no strict boundaries would be drawn around the LS postcode.

Membership, at least initially, will be limited to business owners, creating what he called “a bit of a safe space” for honest conversations.

That privacy matters when topics include minimum wage, rising insurance costs, energy bills and tipping rules, all of which can be difficult to discuss openly with staff or customers.

“We want it to be a place where people can be quite honest, both in terms of where their business is, but also some of the challenges and the things that make it difficult,” Jarvis said. “Just that knowledge that we’re all in the same place.”

Alongside peer support, Jarvis believes the collective can help independents secure better deals and improve understanding among decision-makers, from energy brokers to Leeds City Council and local MPs.

He sees potential for collective bargaining on energy contracts and a more consistent dialogue with the council on issues ranging from parking and street closures to licensing and events.

“Rather than 100 restaurants trying to have 100 different conversations, actually being a bit of a forum where it’s one moment with loads of questions - I think it’s more about having a clearer, easier dialogue,” he said.

Another core pillar is mentorship. Jarvis is particularly passionate about creating pathways for emerging operators, whether first-time chefs looking to open a bistro or newly promoted managers tackling their first VAT return.

He recalls running a mentoring scheme while overseeing a group of pubs employing 100 staff, pairing people across sites and departments based on personality fit.

“Even if you’ve just been made a manager and you don’t really know how to write a wine list, but you’re a bit nervous about asking your boss, you’re not going to pick up the phone and call a pub down the road you love,” he said.

“Whereas if there is this group where you know you can reach in and say, ‘I absolutely love the cask selection at the Highland Laddie - could someone give me some advice?’, that could be really special.”

The launch of the Leeds Hospitality Collective comes as the Yorkshire Evening Post rolls out its new Leeds Summer Served campaign, championing the city’s food and drink scene throughout the summer.

Over the next 10 weeks, we will shine a spotlight on the best of the industry, telling the stories behind the businesses that give the city its flavour. And we'll also explore the challenges the sector faces - and amplify the voices calling for change.

Jarvis has proudly backed the campaign.

“If there’s the city’s most important newspaper alongside the city’s independent restaurants and bars working together to try and make the city better, that could be incredibly powerful,” he said.

Despite the difficulties, Jarvis is adamant hospitality remains “an amazing industry to be a part of” and a viable career path for young people, particularly when service charge is factored in. What is needed, he argues, is more positivity and self-belief.

Leeds has already begun attracting national attention, with prestigious awards for independents including Bavette, The Highland Laddie, Sqew and Silver’s Deli.

“It’s not about saying, ‘Why isn’t the country taking notice of us?’” Jarvis said. “I want the city to stand up and say, ‘Take notice of us.’ Let’s not wait for people to come and find us - let’s talk about ourselves.”

If, in 12 months’ time, the collective is still meeting, independents are still attending and members feel they are getting something meaningful from it, Jarvis will consider the first year a success.

“This isn’t about us pushing our agenda,” he said. “It’s about what all the restaurants, pubs and bars in Leeds want to get out of it. If people still want to be part of it in a year’s time because it’s worthwhile, that’ll be fantastic.”