Weekender: ‘Fantastic’ location paying off for city centre brasserie

The Ivy Victoria Quarter brasserie, in the centre of Leeds, is going from strength to strength since it opened just over 14 months ago.

It opened its doors in September 2018 and now employs 110 people.

General manager Rob Hynes said the business has not been affected by national economic and political uncertainty.

He added that while rising competition will always be a challenge, he is pleased to see Leeds attracting an increasing number of quality food and cocktail offerings.

“Our most popular dish has been our Shepherd’s pie whilst our most popular cocktail has been the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini,” he added.

“Cocktails in general have sold really well here in Leeds and we have a very extensive drinks menu which includes seasonal updates and limited-edition items.

“We are The Ivy Collection’s only venture in Leeds. The business had been interested in coming to Yorkshire for some time but it was a question of waiting for the right sites to become available.

“We have a dedicated property team who do a lot of research into prospective areas and sites ahead of each opening and we were delighted to bring The Ivy Collection to the city last year.

“The Victoria Quarter is a fantastic location with a high footfall of shoppers and both those living and visiting Leeds. Victoria Quarter features many exciting brands who we are delighted to call our neighbours.

“In March we collaborated with Liz Earle, who are based opposite, to offer guests an exclusive pamper package for Mother’s Day, whilst we recently hosted a cocktail reception in the Jo Malone London store for their customers.”

Hynes said the restaurant is determined to offer a consistent level of service and food no matter the occasion or time of day.

He added: “It’s so important for us that everyone leaves with a smile on their face, having had a personal and positive experience.

“We’ll be continuing to strive to offer the best possible guest experience and consistency, ensuring our regular guests and neighbours continue to enjoy our food and our offerings.

“We will also be planning a series of unique events, entertainment and experiences for next year, many of which will tie into local events and calendar moments to ensure we are keeping things fresh and exciting for the months ahead.”

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