Member Article

Mad Frans to Cook Up a Storm at Wellington Place

Developer and Asset Manager, MEPC has announced the latest occupier to join the Wellington Place community, Mad Frans.

Due to open on 27th November, Mad Frans will be the latest retailer to open at the Wellington Place development, taking 1,936 sq. ft. of prime retail space on the ground floor of 6 Wellington Place, along Whitehall Road.

Offering environmentally friendly dining, the freshest of ingredients and a selection of craft beers from in and around Yorkshire, Mad Frans will be celebrating the best of Yorkshire produce in the heart of the city.

Ryan Fraser, owner and director of Mad Frans wanted to bring a venue to Leeds that can host live music, offer different ales from local breweries, provide fantastic service and serve the freshest food from across the region. There is the added advantage of offering local businesses the opportunity to hire out the venue for private events.

In regards to the opening, Ryan said: “Opening an establishment on the prestigious Wellington Place development needs to deliver for those working at the development and the wider community, and we believe we will really enhance the offering at Wellington Place, delivering a fantastic venue with great food, drink and coffee. The team here at Mad Frans is looking forward to welcoming fans of freshly made food and exceptional local drinks to our brand-new bar and kitchen in the heart of the city.”

Head chef, Gary Pickles, who boasts over 19 years’ experience, has had an illustrious career having held various positions, most notably under Gordon Ramsey, as well as starring on TV alongside with Michelle Roux Jnr. He is returning to his Leeds roots and bringing his classic freshly made food to Mad Frans with simple yet spectacular twists to his dishes.

Talking of the move, Gary said: “It’s great to be returning to Leeds – the city where I grew up and love so much. I’m excited about the concept we’re bringing - whether people are wanting a breakfast on the go, or a Sunday lunch, one thing they can be sure of is a first-class meal, which is made fresh on the premises from scratch every day.

“I’m passionate about championing local food and drink suppliers and we hope the people of Leeds enjoy the experience Mad Frans will offer as much as we have enjoyed creating it.”

Paul Pavia, Head of Development at MEPC, added: “We are excited to welcome Mad Frans as they embark on their new venture here at Wellington Place.

“Mad Frans brings an incredibly exciting proposition, not just to the development, but the city of Leeds as a whole. Gary is an incredibly talented chef, and we’re lucky to have him at the Wellington Place development.”

Mad Frans will be open 7 days a week, opening 7:30am until late. Diners can expect a menu offering a wide variety including: • Smoked ham hock and mature cheddar bites, served with piccalilli • Vegan red pepper falafel and house pickle relish sandwich • Monkfish masala with spiced lentil dhal and raita • Mad Frans bourbon sticky toffee pudding, served with Northern Bloc vanilla ice cream

Meanwhile, work continues across the development with the imminent completion of 7 & 8 Wellington Place, expected at the end of the year. The construction of 4 Wellington Place is also ongoing, which will offer 156,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, of which the office space has already been pre-let by Sky Betting and Gaming with 22,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail/leisure space remaining.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy H .