Wapentake: Leeds city centre bar at historic Kirkgate venue announces closure of ‘little piece of Yorkshire’

Wapentake, on Kirkgate, will shut permanently on Sunday June 23.

Owners said the business had “suffered a great deal and fallen on hard times” and said ongoing building work taking place nearby, alongside the “current climate” had lad to the decision, in a post on social media.

“It proper is an end of an era for us,” the post said.

The business will operate as usual, offering food and drink throughout the week, until its closure on Sunday.

The Instagram post on Wapentake’s page said: “Leeds Leeds Leeds, it is with an extremely heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of our beloved Little Piece of Yorkshire.

“With the current climate and the building works currently taking place on Kirkgate our business has suffered a great deal and fallen on hard times.”

Bosses also urged people to support independent businesses during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The post added: “We’ll be having a farewell bash pretty much all weekend for those that would like to come and say goodbye and celebrate Wapentake with us. It proper is an end of an era for us.

“Support your local (or just any) independent gaff whenever you can. It really does go a long way

“We’ll be operating as usual throughout this week for your coffee and brunch/ burger needs.

“We chuffin love you Leeds.”

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Wapentake first opened in 2015 inside on 92 Kirkgate, one of Leeds’ oldest streets.

The 18th century building, which was once a cloth merchant’s home, was refurbished as part of a city centre regeneration scheme brought about by a £110,000 grant.

In 2020, amid Covid lockdown pressures, owners at the time launched a Crowdfunding appeal to help keep it afloat.