Alley Cats Leeds: Much-loved Chapel Allerton bar announces sudden closure due to 'massive' rise in costs

Alley Cats in Chapel Allerton opened for the final time today after nearly six years in the business. The rock-and-roll-themed bar and American kitchen, recently popular for its drag bingo, survived the Covid pandemic – but its owners said hikes in utilities and wholesale costs meant it had “no choice” but to close down.

The quirky bar served a US-style fast food menu including mac and cheese and burgers, as well as hosting quiz nights, and started out as a pop-up before making a permanent home on Harrogate Road.

In a statement posted on its social media pages today, Alley Cats said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we announce that, after nearly six years in business, Alley Cats will be closing as of today.

"Since opening in January 2018, we have had the adventure of a lifetime. We’ve made wonderful lifelong friends of our guests and staff. We’ve flipped more burgers than we can count and shaken enough cocktails to fill an olympic sized swimming pool. We’ve taken our food on the road and popped up at just about every event we could get to. And we’ve loved every minute of it.

"Unfortunately though, with every success has come challenges as well. We soldiered on through the pandemic to bring our food to the masses. Once lockdowns ended we pushed to get the business back on track, only to be faced with more challenges every step of the way.

"From massive increases in utilities, wholesale costs and stagnating sales brought about by the cost-of-living crisis, we sadly find ourselves in a position where we can no longer continue trading. It breaks our hearts to come to this decision but feel, given the circumstances, we have no other choice.

"We want to thank everyone who’s supported us over the years for all the love and wonderful memories we’ve made tucked away in our little corner of Chapel Allerton. Through those memories Alley Cats will live forever."

Alley Cats is one of a number of Leeds businesses that have closed their doors in recent months due to financial pressures – The Gourmet Café in Wetherby closed its doors for the last time on September 3, while Vietnamese restaurant Nam Song confirmed its permanent closure last month.