A popular Kirkstall Road street food restaurant is set to close its doors due to rising costs – despite being ‘busier than ever’.
Manjit’s Kitchen opened on Kirkstall Road, Burley, in October 2019 and is the second Leeds restaurant owned by Manjit Kaur, which she runs with her husband Michael Jameson.
But Manjit today announced the Kirkstall Road business will close its doors to the public at the end of April as she ‘looks for a new home and new partnerships’.
Manjit wrote: “We have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant on Kirkstall Road. I am very sorry to all this will affect.
“The rising costs of everything has caught up with us. Our lease is up for renewal and it is time for us to look for a new home and new partnerships.”
Manjit said that the 20% per cent VAT charge on hospitality and other rising costs had made running the restaurant “impossible”.
She added: “We are busier than ever but we cannot keep up with the rising costs.
“We will trade until the end of April, we will bow out gracefully. We will host some farewell parties, we thank everyone who has visited and supported over the years. Do come and say your goodbyes.
“We hope we leave our little corner of Burley better than we found it. Manjit’s Kitchen at Leeds Kirkgate Market will remain open as usual.
“Thank you and goodbye for now.”
In an interview with WLD in 2020, Manjit has always had a passion for cooking and food and used to help her granny cook. She said:
“IN OUR RELIGION, WE GO TO THE TEMPLE QUITE OFTEN AND SIT AROUND AND EAT TOGETHER. THIS IS A SOCIAL GATHERING, FAMILY TIME AND EATING TOGETHER IS VERY IMPORTANT.”