Business has boomed for a Leeds bar after the opening of a new park in Leeds city centre.
Aire Park is situated in front of the Tetley building to Crown Point Road, in the South Bank area, near Leeds Dock. The large open lawn, with flowerbeds, will eventually become eight-acres of public space with a variety of trees and plants.
The owners of North Bar, on Sheaf Street, directly opposite the park, have said it has “doubled their trade” ever since its grand opening last Thursday, July 24.
READ MORE: New Armley Gyratory footbridges are now open connecting Wortley and Holbeck and city centre
READ MORE: ‘It’s no age’ – Murder arrest leaves sleepy Leeds suburb shaken after three year old girl dies
North Bar founders Christian Townsley and John Gyngell, 50 and 53, have been running their chain, which has amassed eight bars, for the past 28 years. The pair are delighted with how the “stunning” park has turned out.
Christian said: “It’s stunning, absolutely beautiful. It filled me with optimism and joy. It had been fenced off since we started work on this site in August 2024. So, to see it come to fruition a year later is brilliant.”
John said: “We’ve doubled our trade. It’s a relief. We’d been waiting for it, for months and months. A long time coming and it’s open now, and businesses have been moving into the offices nearby. I’ve had a little walk over there, relaxed and had a lunch on the grass. It’s very nice.”
‘It’s lovely’
Finance workers Adam Patrick and Sam Harrison -Credit:Samuel Port
Colleagues Adam Patrick and Sam Harrison, who work in finance, recently moved into an office nearby. They’ve said their team is abuzz with excitement at the new park and have been visiting it at every given opportunity while the weather has remained bright and sunny.
Sam said: “It was busy last week at the opening when they had the ice cream and the face painting.”
Adam added: “Some people in the office got their faces painted, I saw a tiger, a crocodile and Spider-Man. They had no client meetings, I hope!
“It’s lovely, just somewhere to relax, especially in the nice weather. I think it’s going to get a lot busier as they’re building some residential buildings around here and more businesses are moving into the offices.”
Sam said: “It’s nice to have a bit of greenery, as well. You can come out and have a break from your screens and chill for a bit.”
Aire Park in Leeds city centre -Credit:Samuel Port
City-centre resident Dominika Regany, 28, has been visiting the park frequently with her three children ever since it opened. The mum, whose has a four-month-old baby, a 16-month toddler and a three-year-old, says her kids have been loving getting out of their flat and enjoying the park.
Dominika said: “We live nearby, right next to here, and there are not really too many parks. I think this is our third time coming out here. It’s really special for the children, it’s really good! We feel really happy about it.”
Get all the latest Leeds food, drink, events and shopping news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Best in Leeds newsletter here.