Gusto invests £1m in new Leeds city centre restaurant

Leeds’ popular leisure scene has just received another major boost as Italian restaurant brand Gusto plans to open its first city centre restaurant this summer.

As well as investing over £1m in the 6,700 sq ft restaurant and bar, the company will also make this new site the third restaurant to feature Gusto’s new ‘grand café’ design and menu following recent openings in Manchester and Glasgow.

Refurbishment work is already underway at the new 160 cover venue, which is located in Pennine House, Greek Street, occupying what was formerly Henry’s Bar. Gusto is also looking to recruit for 60 newly created jobs at the restaurant.

This will be the second Gusto restaurant for Leeds and follows the success of the Cookridge venue, which has remained profitable since opening in 2008. The new city centre site will provide customers with a modern twist on Italian brasserie classics, fashionable décor and a choice of over 100 cocktails.

The menu uses fresh, carefully selected, simple ingredients to offer a wide choice of dishes. A lunch option, comprehensive wine list and a selection of specials will all feature, with plans to also introduce an indulgent afternoon tea menu.

Sue Crimes, managing director of Gusto, said: “This is a very exciting time for Gusto and we are delighted to be opening a second restaurant in Leeds. Gusto is evolving as a brand and whilst we have changed the style of the décor a little and changed the logo the new Gusto has everything that our customers have come to expect from us and a little but more! - Great food - excellent service and a great night out.”

“Leeds city centre’s restaurant scene is in a period of enormous growth and we felt the time was right to introduce Gusto to the city. The casual dining sector is well catered for in Leeds, so we feel there is definitely room for a high-quality, sophisticated venue, particularly on Greek Street where we expect to see a lot of interest from the business community.”

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