Bars and restaurants owners praise Leeds customers after huge trade during first reopening weekend

The owners of Hyde Park Book Club, Horsforth Brewery and Amity Brew Co all told the YEP that they were thrilled to welcome back loyal customers to be able to sit inside after months of restrictions.

The city has been buzzing all weekend as residents flocked to support their favourite bars and eateries - with bookings almost full at the majority of venues.

Jack Simpson, 41, is the owner of Hyde Park Book Club.

He told the YEP the "community spirit" of the city had returned.

Jack said: "We’ve been very busy, but also purposefully kept space for walk ins every day.

"We want to keep that feeling we all know, of being able to just turn up at a bar.

"It’s been great having people in.

"The atmosphere has been lovely.

"As well as seeing regulars back, it’s been nice to see new people who are making an effort to get to places and also the students who haven’t been able to go out this last year.

"The staff have been amazing and customers have really helped, creating a good vibe.

"Everyone feels in it together, and you can really feel the community spirit."

Staff from Horsforth Brewery also said it had been great "having people in the new taproom for the first time".

They added: "Especially with the weather was putting people off sitting outside!

"We can’t wait to increase capacity even more and start doing brewery events when we can."

Amity Brew Co are causing a storm of excitement in Farsley after opening their inside facilities for the first time ever.

Speaking to the YEP, Russ Clarke, 37, Co-Founder of the brewery, said their first weekend had been "amazing".

He added: "We were near enough fully booked Friday and Saturday.

"It is lighter today (Sun) but good for walk ins!

"We’re all really chuffed with how everything has been.

"Customers have loved the cosy but modern inside space, and are so excited to visit again when we can do brewery tours and tastings!"

Zulfi Hussain owns the popular Deeva Indian restaurant in Farsley and The Cat’s Pyjamas in Headingley.

He said he was "delighted" to welcome customers bacl.

Zulfi added: "We have been delighted to welcome back customers at Deeva Restaurant in Farsley and The Cat’s Pyjamas in Headingley.

It’s so good to meet and create people in person and get the buzz, banter and laughter back.

"We have been pretty fully booked at both sites and have been repeatedly told by customers, how wonderful it is for the lockdown to end, so they can be reunited with family and friends, hug them and go out and enjoy a good meal at their favourite restaurants.

"We have had the privilege and pleasure of being part of people’s reunion and birthday celebrations and seeing them so happy to be out together with their loved ones.

"We have been humbled by the fantastic feedback we have had about our customer care, food, and service, and are looking for to seeing everyone again very soon."