Coronavirus in Leeds: Manjit's Kitchen and Laynes Espresso moving to delivery-only service

Owners Manjit and Michael said they are temporarily closing the restaurant on Kirkstall Road and its sister cafe at Kirkgate Market to protect the safety of customers and staff.

They are looking into takeaway and delivery options to 'keep the business afloat'.

Laynes Espresso, on New Station Street, has also switched to a takeaway-only service as the owner shared his concerns over how it is 'going to survive this'.

Both business owners said they were making the decision after yesterday's press briefing from the Government, which advised against visiting restaurants or pubs but did not order their closure.

Manjit's Kitchen owners Manjit and Michael announced the temporary closure 'with great sadness' on Twitter yesterday.

They said: "Our main aim has to be to keep our customers, staff and ourselves as safe as possible.

"Without any clear guidance from government we cannot continue to trade in good faith. We will therefore be closed until further notice.

"We are looking into some takeaway/delivery options to keep the business afloat.

"We thank all our customers who got us to here and we look forward to returning stronger and better. I love what we do. Take care of yourselves."

Laynes Espresso owner Dave Olejnik made a similar statement on Twitter yesterday evening, announcing the established cafe will now be trading as takeaway only.

He said: "In light of the recent press briefing given by the Government we have decided to go to a take away only service at Laynes.

"It’ll be a bit like going back in time, back to how it was when it all began.

"Both food and drink are available to purchase to takeaway.

"We're certainly a ‘social’ venue and we have to do right by our staff, friends, family and community.

"The social responsibility is weighing heavy on me and I want to do right by people, even if I fear business could suffer."