12 March 2009 Corn Exchange

12 March 2009

New venue in landmark Leeds building

UPFRONT, news, night online, COMMENTS

One of Yorkshire’s most celebrated chefs opened his latest venture at the Leeds Corn Exchange with the help of independent interior designers Ward Robinson.

Hailed as Ward Robinson’s most ambitious and exciting culinary design venture to date, award-winning chef Anthony Flinn is delighted with his restaurant – The Piazza.

Ward Robinson, a leading independent interior design consultancy specialising in hotel and restaurant design, has a longstanding reputation for working with boutique and independent hotels in the UK.

Michael Taylor, associate director at Ward Robinson said: “The project is a major addition to Ward Robinson’s hospitality portfolio – an area we are keen to expand further in. The Piazza concept is unique – nothing like it has ever been seen in the UK and we are delighted to be part of this.”

Ward Robinson was responsible for the design and specification of Anthony’s restaurant, kitchen area, hospitality suite and the display areas of five associated retail outlets.

Leeds’ most historic landmark building, the grade-I listed Corn Exchange is one of Britain's finest Victorian buildings. Inspired by Paris’ corn exchange, as the name implies, the building was used for farmers and merchants to trade corn and other grains.

The building is oval in shape with a domed glass roof that floods the building with light onto the trading floor. Arranged on three levels, Leeds Corn Exchange offers a variety of inward facing units overlooking the striking main atrium. Among many advantages, this layout gives visitors a chance to appreciate the structure of the building’s impressive domed roof.

Anthony Flinn said: "Revitalising Leeds' most treasured building with an exciting new retail offer that can be sustained in the long term was our goal and The Piazza not only achieves that, but also delivers against our commitment to secure successful local and national operators with individuality and flair."

“From standing in the bowels of the Corn Exchange and working with a hole in the floor to the creation of a food emporium covering 13,200 sq ft, we are delighted with Ward Robinson’s input.”

The space, once used to store and sample corn, now incorporates a 116-seat brasserie, a cafe, lounge bar, Hennessey Champagne Suite and five retail units - a bakery, patisserie, chocolate shop, deli cheese shop and an ingredients shop.

Mr Flinn's brasserie is situated in the Piazza’s open central expanse under the building's star lit dome roof.

The cafe spreads through three of the original archway cellars and is described as a more casual environment, ideal for quick lunches.

There is a also a dedicated space for business meetings or private dining, split into three rooms to include a reception room with casual sofa style seating, a meeting/training room with conference style seating and the latest audio visual technology, and a private dining room with seating for up to 20.

The shops feature 'theatre' production kitchens where the public can watch food being freshly prepared throughout the day.

The innovative job at Leeds Corn Exchange has expanded the practice’s portfolio and highlights its successful working relationships with leading British chefs, from Nigel Haworth at Northcote Manor to Terry Laybourne at Jesmond Dene House.

From: Night Online

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