Coronavirus in Leeds: Leeds Indie Food postpones annual festival but creates directory to help businesses

By Emma Ryan
Published 18th Mar 2020, 12:07 BST
Updated 18th Mar 2020, 12:38 BST
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Leeds Indie Food Fest has been postponed amid the coronavirus threat.

As Leeds started to go into lockdown this week, organisers of the event had started to finalise details of the annual festival, usually held in May, which aims to promote the city's independent food and drink traders with a two week programme of special events, offers, menus, pairings and collaborations with other businesses.

However, now they are creating a directory of which traders are still open, which ones are operating a takeaway, delivery, or gift voucher service as they try to keep afloat amid cancelled bookings, no shows and less customers being out and about.

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It is hoped the information will help so customers can still enjoy food and drink at home and drum up some much needed trade for businesses who, are left in limbo as there has not been any formal government advice to cease trading.

Hundreds of foodies gathered at the school dinner event in Chapel Allerton for last year's Leeds Indie Fest.Hundreds of foodies gathered at the school dinner event in Chapel Allerton for last year's Leeds Indie Fest.
Hundreds of foodies gathered at the school dinner event in Chapel Allerton for last year's Leeds Indie Fest.

Simon Fogal, of Chapter 81, is the director of Leeds Indie Food. He said the brand is not about the festival, it is about the businesses so for now the focus was on supporting them with the hope that when the threat of COVID-19 is over - the city can come together for a celebration with the food and drink businesses that would have been tak