Leeds' White Cloth Hall to reopen as an entire food and drink venue

Located in White Cloth Hall, which is located just behind the Corn Exchange in the city, the new venture will see the Whitelock’s team taking on all three existing units in the space, which most recently housed a PizzaExpress, a BrewDog bar and a hairdressers - returning the premises to a single, unified space.

The team will work closely with independent drinks producers from across the region including Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology and Whitewood Distilling and say they are keen to provide a platform for the best local independent food traders.

Originally built in 1775 as a market for merchants to sell undyed or ‘white’ cloth; White Cloth Hall has hosted numerous Leeds businesses over the past 250 years.

The project is the latest venture from Whitelock’s managing director and co-founder of Five Points Brewing, Ed Mason. Mason and his Whitelock’s team took over and relaunched Whitelock’s, known as the oldest pub in Leeds, in 2012.

Most recently Mason opened The Meanwood Tavern in 2022. 

“This is such a beautiful and iconic building - we’re really excited about taking it over. At Whitelock’s we celebrate and support local independent breweries and food and drink suppliers - and we’re looking forward to doing the same at White Cloth Hall, on an even bigger scale,” says Mason

“We think there is massive opportunity for interesting and premium quality hospitality businesses in Leeds and the surrounding region and this new site is part of our wider expansion plans”

White Cloth Hall is set to open in spring 2024.