Smoke Barbecue serves up 35 jobs with new Leeds restaurant

Leeds’ ever-growing leisure scene is about to get a whole lot tastier as a Sheffield-based barbecue restaurant is moving its smoked-meat menu to the West Yorkshire city.

Smoke Barbecue has secured an agreement worth more than £1m over 15 years with Merrion Centre owners, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) on 4,462 sq ft unit on Merrion Way.

Investing £500k into the refurbishment, owners Duka Nagy and Sean Gregory are in the process of a fit out that will complement their Texas inspired menu.

The restaurant is due to open late September and will create 35 jobs over the few weeks.

As well as the new Leeds site, Smoke Barbecue has major growth plans with a third restaurant opening in Glasgow by the end of the year and further plans to look at other potential locations which may include London.

Duka Nagy said: “Our first restaurant in Sheffield has been a huge success and we’re confident that this can be repeated in other city’s, starting with Leeds. There’s such a hub of activity going on in the Arena Quarter especially with the shops in the Merrion Centre and the first direct Arena, we are confident that customers will love this new offering.

“Having worked in the hospitality industry for years, Sean and I are both aware of the challenges and pitfalls in the restaurant industry. We’re confident in our offering and ensure we provide the best possible experience to customers which is at the heart of our approach.”

Smoke Barbecue is the latest addition to the Merrion Centre’s food offering, with long standing tenants Fuji Hiro, Costa, LAB bar and eatery and others being joined by Dunkin’ Donuts just last month.

Helen Green, associate director of estates for TCS, added: “We are very pleased that Smoke have chosen the Merrion Centre as an attractive location from which to operate.

“The Arena Quarter is a top destination with restaurants, bars, shopping, convenient parking and the first direct Arena all giving visitors reason to come and see us, we are very excited to add Smoke Barbecue to the offering.”

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