Familiar Leeds city centre landmark set to become new Thai restaurant

The ground floor of the former Lloyds Bank on Park Row in Leeds has been snapped up by Busaba Eathai, which will open a 6,000 sq ft restaurant in early 2017.

The group, which has 14 restaurants across the UK and one in Dubai, was founded by Wagamama entrepreneur Alan Yau.

Leeds-born chief executive Jason Myers is currently expanding the business in the North of England, with recent openings in Manchester and Liverpool.

He said: “I am delighted to be opening this flagship Busaba in my home city of Leeds.”

James Fox, director of retail at CBRE Leeds, which secured the letting to Busaba Eathai, said: “Leeds has welcomed a large number of new restaurant operators since the opening of Trinity and it is fantastic to be introducing this award-winning brand to Leeds.”

The banking giant closed its Park Row site in October 2015 and Savills Leeds was given planning permission by Leeds City Council to modernise the landmark building earlier this year.

The 10-storey office building will also have its upper floors refurbished into new offices.