The proprietors of Whitelock’s Ale House have announced their acquisition of a historic building located in the heart of Leeds city centre. Positioned just behind the Corn Exchange, the third White Cloth Hall is set to undergo a dramatic transformation into a vibrant food and drink hall, with an anticipated opening in early 2024. This new establishment aims to champion and showcase Leeds’ thriving independent food and drink scene.
Dating back to 1775, White Cloth Hall was initially constructed as a marketplace for merchants to sell undyed or ‘white’ cloth, and has been home to numerous businesses over its 250-year history. The Whitelock’s team is preparing to breathe new life into all three existing units of the hall, which previously housed Pizza Express, a BrewDog bar, and a hairdressing salon, consolidating the premises into a unified space.
The upcoming White Cloth Hall will collaborate closely with independent drinks producers from the region, including esteemed names such as Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, and Whitewood Distilling, with a specific focus on providing a platform for the finest local independent food traders.
This exciting venture represents the most recent project from Ed Mason, the managing director of Whitelock’s Ale House and the co-founder of Five Points Brewing Company. In 2012, Mason and his team took over Whitelock’s, the renowned oldest pub in Leeds, and most recently unveiled The Meanwood Tavern in 2022.
The past year has been a whirlwind of activity for the group, as Whitelock’s continues to rebuild following the challenges posed by the pandemic. The acquisition and transformation of White Cloth Hall represents the newest chapter in the broader expansion and growth plans for Mason and his team.
Set to open in the spring of 2024, White Cloth Hall is now accepting expressions of interest and enquiries from local independent food and drink traders. Ed Mason, the managing director of Whitelock’s Ale House, expressed his excitement about the venture, stating, “This is such a beautiful and iconic building – we’re truly thrilled about taking it over. At Whitelock’s, we wholeheartedly celebrate and endorse local independent breweries and food and drink suppliers – and we’re eager to extend the same support at White Cloth Hall, on a grander scale.”
Mason further added, “We strongly believe that there are numerous opportunities for unique and high-quality hospitality ventures in Leeds and the surrounding region, and this new site is an integral part of our expansive growth plans.”
Written by Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily
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