Trinity Leeds has appointed Freight Island as the operator of an expanded Trinity Kitchen, as part of a £15 million project to create a significantly larger food and leisure destination in the city centre.
The scheme, which has received planning approval from Leeds City Council, is the largest single investment Trinity Leeds has made since the centre opened. It will bring a previously unused 15,000 sq ft area above Trinity Kitchen back into use, increasing the overall offer to around 63,000 sq ft and introducing a new outdoor terrace overlooking City Square.
Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring 2026, with Trinity Kitchen expected to remain open throughout the works. Once complete, Freight Island will run the new food and leisure space, with the aim of broadening the range of operators and enhancing the visitor experience through improved areas for dining, trading and socialising.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds said:
“Delivering an exceptional visitor experience has always been our top priority here at Trinity Leeds. Since launching in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has been an exciting and evolving concept, and our new plans will mark its most exciting chapter yet. The venue will be transformed into a spectacular multi-level dining, entertainment and dynamic leisure venue, enhanced by additional space and a new terrace to bring the atmosphere outdoors.
“Freight Island will help to elevate our food and drink offering, creating an expansive and immersive venue, with exciting opportunities for new brands and operators to join our thriving community. Together, we will build on Trinity Kitchen’s decade-long success, ensuring it continues to grow its appeal as a best-in-class food and leisure destination.”
Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island said:
“Trinity Kitchen is an iconic Leeds destination with a decade-long reputation for championing independent food traders and creating a genuinely social dining experience. We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Freight Island to Trinity Leeds as part of this landmark expansion.
“This project allows us to build on what Trinity Kitchen already does so well, while introducing new energy, scale and creativity through an expanded food and leisure offer, a brand-new entertainment space and a standout rooftop terrace overlooking the city. Food will remain at the heart of the venue, with menus driven by independent chefs and operators, alongside a programme of DJs, sports, performances, cultural and family events, all with a strong focus on showcasing and supporting local Leeds talent.
“Leeds is a city with a powerful cultural identity and a thriving creative and food scene. We look forward to working closely with Landsec and Trinity Leeds to create a destination that supports local operators, creates jobs, nurtures homegrown talent and delivers something truly special for the city.”
Since its launch in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has built a strong reputation for its indoor street-food model, combining permanent kitchens with a rotating line-up of independent traders. Over the past decade it has supported almost 300 businesses, providing exposure to an annual audience of more than 800,000 visitors.
Freight Island first opened at Depot Mayfield in Manchester in 2020 and has since established itself as a major food hall and entertainment destination, blending food, drink, live events and cultural programming. The operator is also set to open in Newcastle later this year. The Trinity Leeds partnership will mark Freight Island’s fourth site.
Trinity Leeds said the expansion will support job creation, attract new brands to the city and build on Trinity Kitchen’s role as a launchpad for emerging food businesses, while delivering a larger-scale social and leisure offer in the heart of Leeds www.trinityleeds.com
