Restaurant causes Rumpus with major move

A Yorkshire burger restaurant has moved to a new base after a six-figure refurbishment of a village’s former bank.

Rumpus has relocated to a new home in the centre of Slaithwaite, in West Yorkshire, after renovations created a 50-seater restaurant at a century-old Lloyd’s Bank.

Established back in 2017 in a converted public toilet block, Rumpus had outgrown its original Slaithwaite premises due to increasing demand and logistical limitations.

And now thanks to help from local firms and tradespeople, the doors of its new home – a neo-classical building dating back to 1909 – officially opened to the public this week.

The Lloyds Bank building, which is full of history and architectural character, has been a landmark in the village for more than a century and the architectural redesign was led by award-winning Huddersfield-based firm One17 Design, with local property specialists Garside Developments overseeing the project management and delivery.

The refurbishment was carried out in collaboration with a team of local tradespeople – including joiners, electricians, and bespoke furniture makers – aligning with Rumpus’ effort to invest in the community.

Rumpus is owned and operated by the Garside family, whose roots in Slaithwaite also trace back to the early 1900s.

The company, which has a second restaurant in Saltaire, now employs 50 staff, with Mert Dedeoglu serving as operations chef and Rick Prosser leading the Saltaire team as general manager.

Manager Harry Garside said: “This is an exciting next step for us.

“We’ve always admired this building as being part of the fabric of Slaithwaite. 

“It feels right to bring it back to life in a way that respects its past while supporting the restaurant’s future. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers and staff into a space that’s both striking and built for purpose.

“The move means better efficiency, storage and space to grow.

“The hospitality industry moves at pace, so adapting and evolving is essential.

“This new chapter allows us to do just that. It’s also a way to be part of Slaithwaite’s evolving story and contribute to its growth while preserving what makes it special.”

The new Slaithwaite site underwent a year of extensive works and although the exterior required only light touches, the interior was overhauled to suit the restaurant’s needs, including a £50,000 modern kitchen extraction system.

The building retains many of the bank’s original features, which have been carefully restored, including the coffered ceilings, solid oak parquet floors, original window detailing, and even the vaulted safe which has been repurposed as the door to the ladies’ toilets.

More modern touches include booth seating, oak and steel interior wall cladding, and a halo-lit bar.

The owners say the new menu stays true to the restaurant’s founding principle – simple food, done well – with the addition of two signature burgers, flat iron steaks, fresh salads, and a curated selection of sides.

Rumpus continues to champion its regenerative farming background, sourcing ingredients with a strong emphasis on animal welfare and sustainability. Beef is supplied from the family’s own farm in Slaithwaite, which uses a grass-based, rotational grazing system, enhancing biodiversity while supporting healthy soils and pasture regeneration.

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