Free dinner for bar, restaurant and hospitality staff in Leeds amid coronavirus uncertainty

The sector faces an uncertain 12 weeks ahead, with the government advising against visiting bars, restaurants, clubs and other venues.

Owners are making the difficult decision to close temporarily or limit opening hours, putting hundreds of jobs in the city at risk.

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Jack Simpson, co-owner of Hyde Park Book Club on Headingley Lane, said although the venue was 'struggling' they wanted to do more to help.

The team are cooking a free dinner at 7pm tonight (March 20) for any bar, restaurant or hospitality worker who is facing financial difficulty.

The meal will be available to eat in or takeaway if you bring your own container.

Jack, 40, said: "These workers have fallen through the cracks of Government support, they don't own businesses but they also don't work for businesses who can provide support or sick pay.

"These are people with less than a month's savings and not being paid might mean they won't be able to eat.

"We've really struggled, we just don't have the hours for staff and the Government hasn't said how it will support them."

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Local businesses have offered their support, with the North Brewing Co. providing beers for the meal and Tony Ereira at singles club Come Play With Me paying towards the meal costs.

But Jack urges other sectors to get involved and help to support young people out of work, hoping to provide more free dinners after tonight's meal.

He added: "Enough people made money when Leeds was doing well and booming, that surely we can afford to give an evening meal everyday for the kids out of work?

"Restaurant owners are in trouble themselves and have their own problems, but as a city we have to support those people."

If any volunteers or businesses would like to get involved with the venture, email [email protected].