As we know, the last five years have been incredibly tough for small and independent businesses - with Covid-19 affecting sale and the cost-of-living crisis affecting profit.
Times are still hard. One Leeds chef, who closed her business for good in September, said the “difficult decision” to shut the doors to her riverside restaurant came after the team found themselves “succumbing to the insurmountable economic pressures that have affected so many businesses”.
Here are more businesses that have announced closure and will be missed dearly. On the list, there is another fine dining restaurant run by top chef Michael O’Hare.

1. Psycho Sandbar
Psycho Sandbar in Vicar Lane, Leeds city centre, permanently closed its doors earlier this month. It was owned and run by top chef and Great British Menu judge Michael O’Hare and replaced his former concept, the Man Behind The Curtain when it opened in March 2024. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. Poppy's Potting Shed
Poppy’s Potting Shed has announced the business will be closing its unit in Burley Court, Burley, for good last month. The garden centre opened its doors in 2021 and claimed to be “Leeds’ biggest house plant shop”. | Matt Moore (AlwaysComputing)/Google Photo: Matt Moore (AlwaysComputing)/Google

3. HOME
Fine dining restaurant HOME, in Brewery Wharf, opened in 2017 by award-winning chef Liz Cottam. It closed this September after seven “incredible” years. The chef said the decision to close has come after the team found themselves “succumbing to the insurmountable economic pressures that have affected so many businesses”. | Simon Hulme Photo: Simon Hulme
.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
4. Graveley's Fish & Chips
Bosses behind Graveley's Fish & Chips announced the permanent closure of their The Core Shopping Centre site earlier this month. The closure of the chippy, which also has a site in the White Rose Shopping Centre, comes after the impending demolition of the shopping complex. | S Miah/Google/National World Photo: S Miah/Google/National World

5. Ted Baker
This Leeds city centre shop announced closure in April 2024 after the business fell into administration. It resulted in a loss of around 120 roles. | Google Photo: Google

6. Sakku
This all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in St Peter’s Square announced closure earlier this year. It was replaced by Filipino restaurant and bar Sakku Pinoy, which claims to be “the first of its kind” in Leeds. | Sakku Photo: Sakku