Vietnamese restaurant Nam Song confirmed its permanent closure this week, one of several Leeds businesses to have closed their doors for good this summer. We’ve had some fantastic new arrivals to the city in recent months, but spiralling costs and changing customer trends have made it too difficult for others to continue trading.
Here are 11 Leeds businesses we have loved and lost in summer 2023.
7. Little Boo Loves
In July, this much-loved gift shop in west Leeds closed down and moved its stock entirely online due to rising costs. Little Boo Loves sells cards, small gifts, home decor and accessories and many of the items are hand-painted and can be personalised for special occasions. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
8. The Nags Head
The Nags Head in Chapel Allerton closed suddenly in July, as one regular customer claimed staff were told to look for other employment. Sam Smith Brewery, which operates the pub, is yet to confirm the reason for the closure - or what will become of the historical Leeds pub. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
9. Foleys Tap House
Two other Leeds pubs closed their doors for good this summer, after a shock announcement from Black Sheep Brewing Company Limited announcing the “immediate closure” of the venues. The first was Foleys Tap House in The Headrow. Photo: James Hardisty
10. Black Sheep Bar and Kitchen
The second was Black Sheep Bar and Kitchen in Chapel Allerton. In a statement, the brewery said that despite the best efforts of staff to bring the venues back to their pre-Covid trading levels, “this has not materialised”. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
11. MyMakan
Malaysian restaurant MyMakan opened in Horsforth earlier this year, after taking over the former Kuala Lumpur Restaurant in Town Street. The restaurant, which was founded in Norwich, closed down its Leeds site suddenly this summer. Photo: Google
12. Pizza Fella
This popular city centre eatery closed in June after its owners said they didn't have the “financial and emotional resources” to renew the lease. Pizza Fella on Vicar Lane had been open since 2016, and the site is now up for sale. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe