In pictures: The jewel in the crown of Leeds' new city hub

A leeds hotel has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment in a bid to change perceptions of it and tap into an emerging city hub.
Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales.
12th January 2017.Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales.
12th January 2017.
Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales. 12th January 2017.

The Crowne Plaza on Wellington Street is putting the finishing touches to a year long programme that has seen the hotel reconfigured, every room refurbished and a new bar and restaurant created that is exclusive to the Leeds hotel.

In a break from tradition where chain hotels usually follow the same formula, Crowne Plaza Leeds has unveiled ‘Bar and Kitchen @LS1’ with the obvious nod to its location and a menu with some Yorkshire favourites like a tear and share Yorkshire pudding and marrowbone gravy or a dinky pie and peas.

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But with cocktails and popular bar snack dishes like bread and olives it is also the intention that the hotel, will attract clientele other than paying and staying guests.

Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales.
12th January 2017.Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales.
12th January 2017.
Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. Pictured Katie OHara, Director of Sales. 12th January 2017.

Crowne Plaza sits in the heart of the 22 acre MEPC Wellington Place development, which is creating space for 12,500 people to live and work, and in turn a huge extension to the city living boundary.

With that comes a demand for places to eat, drink and socialise without having to divert to the city centre and the theme of the renovation has been in part a reaction to that.

Corporate 90s decor, largely untouched since the hotel opened, is replaced with urban grey, turquoise and industrial style lights and fittings.

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Katie O’Hara, director of sales said: “Good Luck Club, Sociable Folk are the places that are our direct competition.

Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment.
12th January 2017.Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment.
12th January 2017.
Bar and Kitchen LS1 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds, which has undergone a 4m refurbishment. 12th January 2017.

“This hotel has been here since the 90s but still people don’t think to go to a hotel for a drink. It is lovely and chilled rather than being manic like town. The more people we can get through the door we can change that and it is up to us to convert them.”

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