It has been a tough few years for hospitality venues in Leeds, so when there is a new face on the scene, it really does speak to the resilience and strength of the industry.
One such face is The Collective, a unique café and retail space which opened its doors in November 2021. Conveniently located on Boar Lane, The Collective aims to blur the lines between home and hospitality, offering a space to shop for stunning interiors, whilst also enjoying a bite to eat.
Owners Dale Wynter (of the Beehive Thorner) and Ellen Price are well versed in how to run a successful hospitality venture, and took inspiration from LA’s creative, relaxed scene whilst designing The Collective. Interior Designer Rachael Easton added the design flair of the stunning space, which makes The Collective stand out from its competition. Parquet flooring, marbled tabletops and floods of natural light give the place an opulent, luxe and calming feel.
One quirk of the venue is that nearly everything you see – from lighting to candles, artwork and furniture – is available to buy. The Collective brings together Yorkshire based manufacturers such as Staunton & Hughes and Stucco & Stucco, as well as British artists The Connor Brothers, who are recognisable from their playful twists on pulp fiction. Designers are on hand to offer assistance to customers, and appointments can be booked to discuss bespoke or customised furniture options.
The café boasts a plethora of brunch and lunch options, from acai bowls to New York Deli bagels, egg dishes and pastries, all as elegantly plated as one would expect from such a design-forward venue.
There are also excellent coffee, wines, cocktails and juices available.
We ordered the acai bowl, avocado eggs, eggs Florentine and shakshuka. Each dish was beautifully presented, and as far away from style over substance as you could get. Service was friendly and attentive – 10/10.
The unique space also has plans for a multitude of events and workshops over the coming months.
The Collective is a welcome addition to Leeds, bringing a unique, design-led and another superb injection of passion and creativity into the City’s retail and hospitality scene. I, for one, can’t wait to return.
33 Boar Lane LS1 5DA, 0113 466 0382, https://collectiveinc.co.uk
All photography by Asli Champion.
