25 jobs created at launch of Mediterranean restaurant

A North Leeds restaurant has created 25 jobs following its launch.

The new £2m Mediterranean eatery opened at Weetwood Hall, the University of Leeds-owned site last night, offering 120 covers and a bar.

Sashimi grade tuna steak and Ibérico pulled pork burger to brodetto di pesce (traditional fish stew from Tuscany) and Galician beef were on offer to the 150 guests on launch night.

Organisers said that Convive will be twinned with Mediterranean restaurants across Europe through chef swaps and ingredient sourcing.

Convive is the vision of Martin Hicks, Managing Director of Weetwood Hall who, over the past 25 years, has been responsible for establishing Weetwood Hall as one of the leading hotel and conference venues in the region.

Profits from the Weetwood estate and now Convive are gift-aided to the University of Leeds.

Hicks said: “Convive has been in planning for a long time and I’m delighted my original vision has finally become a reality. Not only is it a great way to build on 25 years of success at Weetwood Hall but it’s an impressive addition to the restaurant and bar scene in Leeds.

“We’ve created a true destination restaurant to rival anything in the city centre so to have such a high-quality establishment out of the centre will provide a real alternative to visitors looking for something different.

“I’m also very proud that the University and the city of Leeds as a whole will benefit from any profits generated by Convive.”