Member Article

New £400k Merrion Centre bar set to create 15 jobs

The Yorkshire business behind Roxy Ball Room and Roxy Lanes is set to open a new restaurant at Leeds Arena Bar, across from the first direct Arena, creating 15 new jobs.

The £400k two-floor bar restaurant venue will make use of pre and post-gig trade and has a 60 cover restaurant on the first floor.

As part of a 20 year lease with Town Centre Securities, the new 210-capacity Leeds Arena Bar will offer an experimental cocktail bar and restaurant, with a menu based on quality chicken and burgers to appeal to a wide range of customers

It joins other leisure establishments including Cosmo and Bulgogi Grill that are transforming the face of the Merrion Quarter.

Matthew Jones, managing director of Leeds-based Jones Bar Group, which owns LAB, said: “This is the first bar we’ve opened this side of town, and it’s clear to see the area is bustling.

“With sell-out gigs attracting more than 13,000 people to the Arena, securing a place on the doorstep is a huge coup for us.

“People want somewhere to go for a quality bite to eat before a gig, or to continue the night after, and we’re ideally placed to make the most of that trade.

“We’re not solely dependent on the Arena audience though. The area’s seen much growth and development since 2013, and with a strong line-up of new leisure establishments opening on Merrion Way, we’re confident that we can attract new customers with our offer. LAB is in the ideal location.”

LAB is the ninth venue the bar group has opened in the last 10 years and joins six other bars in the Leeds city centre portfolio: Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room, Hirst’s Yard, Brooklyn Bar, 51% Bourbon and The Shed Bar. The group has a £5.5 million turnover.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .