Work starts on White Cloth Hall transformation

Construction has begun as the team behind storied Leeds pub Whitelock’s develop a food and drink destination in the 1775-built hall, most recently home to Pizza Express and Brewdog.

Set to open its doors later this summer, White Cloth Hall is a new venture from the team behind Leeds’ oldest pub, including Whitelock’s owner Ed Mason and major investor Jonathan Morgan.

The grade two-listed building was once one of the North’s most important marketplaces and has housed a range of uses over its 250 years.

In its latest guise, it will include three kitchens, two bars and a deli/coffee shop. Each of the three kitchens will serve a different menu, each run by a different head-chef and kitchen team.

The drinks offering will provide a choice of two bars, tailored to taste and occasion: a wine bar with an unrivalled curation of natural wines, and the flagship bar, a place to sip Northern-brewed beers, ales and lagers, alongside house cocktails and old classics, the team said.

Ed Mason, owner of White Cloth Hall and Whitelock’s managing owner, bought the property in September last year. He said: “This is a special project. There’s so much cultural history to celebrate, but also so much potential too. For someone like me, who’s so rooted in this City, the chance to re-establish White Cloth Hall as a go-to destination once more was unmissable, and one that I’m so excited about.

“Not only have we got a great team driving the project, we’re also busy assembling a serious array of food and drink talent – all of whom feel as strongly about doing it the right way as we do. There’ll be no airs and graces, no stuffiness, just beautifully prepared food and drink, served the Yorkshire way!

“We can’t wait to open our doors and show everyone what we’ve been working on. We’re going to make it somewhere to savour.”