White Cloth Hall is a new venture from the team behind Whitelock’s, bringing together a host of indie food heroes within historic surroundings.
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. White Cloth Hall has opened its doors, adding an exciting all-day food hall to the Leeds scene. Headed up by Whitelock’s owner Ed Mason, the new project has been designed with a love of the city, and Ed and the team’s commitment to quality and authenticity shines through in every last detail. Here’s your first look at the much-anticipated venue.
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You’ll find White Cloth Hall on Crown Street, behind Leeds Corn Exchange. The Grade II-listed landmark was built in 1775 as a market for merchants selling undyed, aka ‘white’, cloth, and even housed a circus during Victorian times! The new venture takes the existing three units, which most recently housed Pizza Express, BrewDog and a hairdressers, and transforms them into one unified space.
The branding is inspired by Third White Cloth Hall’s fascinating history, so you can expect plenty of nods to Victorian times, as well as circus-inspired touches. The team have made it a priority to uphold all the lovely quirks and nuances that make the building so iconic, staying true to its roots – they’ve even restored the original Pizza Express chandeliers from the 90s!
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The exterior has been painted in the brand’s white and green, with bold lettering to catch the eye. Step inside and you’ll find the main hall straight ahead of you, with natural light pouring through the top of the building and super-high ceilings. The old brickwork remains intact, and they’ve finished the decor with warm brown tones and gorgeous tiling. It’s the perfect place to cosy up with a pint and a bite.
Take a left at the entrance and you’ll find a coffee shop and pizza kitchen, or turn right to find yourself in an intimate wine and cocktail bar. Inside the main hall you’ll find the main bar to the left, and three kitchens to the right, tucked away under the mezzanine in their own little alcoves. Alternatively, climb the stairs to the first floor, where you’ll find additional tables and views of the whole venue.
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Everything’s been designed with community in mind – the aim is to create a destination that people of all ages will come into Leeds for. This ethos is demonstrated in the long communal benches that fill the hall, providing the perfect space for social drinking and dining. From laidback coffees and leisurely brunches to after-work drinks and weekend catch-ups, there’s something for everyone.
Now, let’s talk food. You’ll be able to order from four local independent vendors, each serving delicious, home cooked dishes. All the vendors have been hand-selected and are beloved by the Whitelock’s team, as well as having their own authentic Leeds stories. Ordering is simple – scan the QR code at your table and the team will bring it over to you when it’s ready.
The first food outlet is the coffee shop and pizza kitchen. Alongside coffee from Meanwood roastery Echelon Coffee, you’ll be able to dig into fresh pastries and breakfast options by day, as well as hot and cold sandwiches from Morty’s – a spin-off brand from the Pizza Loco team. From midday, their full menu of Italian American comfort food is available to order – it’s pure, unadulterated bliss.
Inside the main hall there’s Salma, a Mexican street food pop-up from the brains behind MorMor. If you’re into slow-cooked meats and tacos, this one’s for you. Headingley’s Kuala Lumpur Cafe will be serving flavourful Malaysian food, while Lupton’s Chophouse is a new brand from the Whitelock’s kitchen, bringing a quality, traditional-style meat-heavy menu, alongside fresh fish and oysters.
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As a Whitelock’s venue, you can rest assured there’ll be a stellar drinks selection. There’s a key focus on championing Yorkshire brands, so you can expect all the usual suspects in attendance, with plenty of sups from Kirkstall Brewery. There’s loads to choose from in the form of cask, keg and guest ales, giving beer-lovers a decision or two to make.
If vino’s more your thing, a trip to the wine bar is in order. Headed up by York-based supplier Field & Fawcett, they’ll be serving a range of organic wines, homemade cocktails and Yorkshire charcuterie and cheeses. It’s a lovely, secluded little venue, complete with its own spiral staircase and tiny mezzanine. You’ll still be able to order everything from the main hall and cafe in there too.
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So there you have it! If that’s not enough to convince you, here’s why Ed thinks you should visit. “We are so excited to be finally opening,” he told us. “We hope it will be a really positive addition to the Leeds indie food and drink scene. We have a fantastic line-up of kitchens, plus a great range of interesting, innovative and independent food and drink suppliers.”
He also said that they’ve focussed on making the place welcoming and very family friendly (yes, your pooch is most certainly welcome too) while retaining the essence of the building. “This amazing building has had a varied history over 250 years,” he said, “and we hope we’ve done justice to this beautiful Grade II-listed building.” Head down there and see for yourself!
White Cloth Hall, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DA. The hall is closed on Mondays, then open from 12pm Tuesday to Sunday. The coffee shop is open seven days a week from 8am.
