'Why backing Leeds' food and drink scene matters more than ever' - Andrew Cooper Leeds BID
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I'm proud to back YEP’s Summer Served campaign - Leeds’ hospitality deserves our support
The sun is shining and I make my way down Albion Place and sit outside at one of the many restaurants and cafés which have tables and chairs outside.
I enjoy a coffee in the sunshine, reflecting that it was not that long ago that the Government encouraged us all to ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ to support our then struggling hospitality sector in a post pandemic world.
In recent times we have seen a new set of challenges, food inflation increasing (and it very rarely reverts back), difficulties in the farming community higher up the food supply chain and the challenge of employing staff in the sector with an increase NI and overhead costs.
It is fair to say it is not an easy time for our hospitality sector. Industry experts are calling the current wider landscape ‘fragile’.
Leeds, in my opinion, has a resilient and growing hospitality sector compared to other towns and high streets, but we can’t be complacent.
The city has seen a plethora of new openings in recent months including Jerk Junction in Trinity Kitchen, Madre and Salon Madre and the forthcoming Dishoom to name but a few. Leeds, with a growing residential population, an expanding professional sector and a burgeoning student population are all factors that can support a healthy and sustained hospitality sector.
The proliferation of delivery bikes in the city is testimony to a bustling food and takeaway sector.
But part of the challenge is long term sustainability of the sector, the call for use it or lose it can be two-way mantra. Restaurants and cafes are learning to adapt to a changing market, create more experiential environments and create brand loyalty.
This is demonstrated by the creative independent food scene we have in Leeds and the fact that London brands are choosing to locate in the city.
Leeds has a strong market and with long term growth, building a new offering is a very wise investment. The leisure and hospitality sector we support is 15 per cent of all our businesses and this has remained unchanged and strong.
Customer service is also a challenge for the industry which goes hand in hand with employing energetic and enthusiastic staff that are part of the hospitality experience. Once sat down in a restaurant recently, I was encouraged to take my time and have a drink, not rushed out the door for the next booking, thus making me dwell longer and spend more money.
Well-trained staff are a critical component, and yet this industry for too long has been seen as a job you do between jobs, rather than a lucrative and rewarding career path, as it is perceived on the continent.
Therefore, it is good that we recognise and support the hospitality sector we have in Leeds responding to the rallying call of our restaurants, cafes, bars, independent food operators and chefs, to support the ‘Leeds Summer Served’ campaign, spearheaded by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Whether it is a drink while enjoying a world cup game, or some takeaway food while on the Trivial Pursuit Leeds trail, there are plenty of establishments in Leeds that make eating out a true experience and one to return for.