Leeds Kirkgate Market Kitchen Marks 10 Years of Success

Celebrating a decade of independent food vendors at Leeds Kirkgate Market

Leeds Kirkgate Market’s Market Kitchen street food hall has reached its 10-year anniversary, marking a significant milestone since its opening in June 2016. Established as part of a £14 million investment by Leeds City Council, the Market Kitchen continues to operate successfully, with most of its original vendors still trading and attracting a loyal customer base.

Long-standing vendors and diverse cuisine

The Market Kitchen is home to a variety of independent food businesses offering a wide range of cuisines. These include Vietnamese, Indian, Turkish, Jamaican, as well as traditional British dishes such as fish and chips and Yorkshire pudding wraps. Many of the original traders remain active, alongside newer additions, maintaining a full occupancy rate since the Market Kitchen’s inception.

Among the original vendors is Manjit’s Kitchen, a vegetarian Indian café run by Manjit Kaur. She reflected on her connection to the market, saying her family has long ties to the location and emphasised the importance of Kirkgate Market as a place for independent businesses to start and grow.

Another long-serving vendor, Bánh & Mee Vietnamese Street Kitchen, is operated by Mylinh Chiem and her husband Sengy Tang. Mylinh noted their goal of enhancing lunchtime options for customers and highlighted their success in bringing Vietnamese flavours to Leeds.

Additional vendors and expansions

• Fat Annie’s
• Istanbul Bakery
• Jenny’s Jerk Chicken
• Mr Mackerel
• Teapot
• The Yorkshire Wrap Company

The Yorkshire Wrap Company, known for its Yorkshire pudding wraps, has attracted notable visitors including TV presenter Adam Richman, singer Ronan Keating, and members of the band Kaiser Chiefs.

Since opening, the Market Kitchen has expanded from nine to twelve units, with additional food-to-go vendors occupying five repurposed units nearby. An adjoining events space, also opened in 2016, features a pavilion stage, a large LED screen, and space for up to 30 gazebos. This space hosted over 270 events in the previous year, including record fairs, food festivals, and cultural celebrations, many of which were free and family-friendly.

Council support and future developments

Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for economy, highlighted the importance of the market to the city and the council’s commitment to its development. She noted the transformational impact of the Market Kitchen and the events space in bringing communities together and supporting independent businesses.

Further investment is underway with a £10 million refurbishment of the market’s 19th-century ‘blockshops’ area nearing completion. Additionally, a planning application has been submitted for STACK Leeds, a proposed container-style leisure attraction in the outdoor section of the market. If approved, STACK Leeds would offer food, drink, and entertainment options intended to complement the Market Kitchen and increase footfall across the market site.

The continued success of Leeds Kirkgate Market and its Market Kitchen reflects the role of the market as a key destination for food and culture in the city, supporting independent traders and attracting visitors from Leeds and beyond.