Popular Leeds restaurant eyeing move to bigger premises thanks to customer support

A popular Leeds restaurant is eyeing a move to a bigger venue after generous support from their loyal customers.

The Swine that Dines, an independent Leeds bistro restaurant run by chef couple, Jo and Stu Myers, has smashed its initial £25,000 crowdfunding goal to help fund its move to a bigger venue - as it nears the £40,000 mark.

The Leeds city centre restaurant launched its crowdfunding campaign on Friday, June 7 and hit its £25,000 target in just 48 hours. It is now near its stretch target of £40,000 to help them purchase a ‘swinemobile’ van to help them cater for private events.

Read more: Exciting new restaurant set to open in Leeds at the Merrion Centre

Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine that Dines said: “We’re completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve received for our crowdfunder and are on cloud nine to have hit, and then overtaken, our initial target. Thank you to everyone who invested, it means so much to us.

“The Swine is a real labour of love, which we’ve nurtured and grown through some tough times. We’ve seen so many wonderful restaurants close their doors over the last few years, that for us to finally realise our dream of opening a bigger Swine in the city we call home is a real privilege.

“Who knew so many people would be tempted by my lemon meringue pies! I’m going to be baking them for months.”

The current Swine that Dines, based in North Street, is seen as too small with only an 18-cover capacity and a tiny kitchen that can only accommodate two chefs and limited fridge and storage space. The proposed new restaurant space will double its covers to 30 as well as include a private dining room with an additional 15 covers.

The Swine that Dines crowdfunder saw more than 400 people invest from as little as £10 up to £2,200. The bigger Swine that Dines is expected to open in autumn 2024.

You can find out more about the new restaurant here.

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