Moods at First White Cloth Hall, Leeds: New all-day cafe, bar and events venue opens in one of Yorkshire’s historic buildings

A relaxed-luxury all-day cafe, bar and events venue called Moods opens to the public at First White Cloth Hall in Leeds.

On July 31, 2026, Moods opened on Kirkgate, completing a family-led vision for one of Leeds’ most historic buildings.

Moods, a new all-day cafe, bar and events venue, was created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo and hair and beauty brand self.

Moods is located on the ground floor of the Grade II-listed building, built in 1711 for the sale of white, undyed cloth. Some of its roof timbers date back to the mid-1470s, and the building spent more than 20 years on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register before a major restoration by Rushbond returned it to use.

Moods introduces specialty coffee, in-house patisserie, elevated day dining, cocktails, wine, beer and events together under one roof, with a fuller restaurant and private dining planned from autumn 2026.

The opening phase offers around 124 covers across the cafe, bar and outdoor seating, rising to around 170 once the restaurant and private dining spaces open in autumn 2026.

Will said: “Leeds has been our home since university, and First White Cloth Hall felt like the kind of building you do not get a second chance with.

“From the moment we saw it, we knew it could become much more than a studio home.

“Moods is about opening the ground floor up and giving people a reason to use the building from morning through to night, whether that is coffee, food, drinks, private events or simply a good catch-up with friends.”

Hayley, who has led the design and fit-out across the entire building, said: “I wanted Moods to feel special without feeling stiff.

“Luxurious, cosy and full of detail, but still somewhere you can drop in for a coffee, a pastry or a cocktail depending on the day you are having.

“The building already has so much character, so the design has been about adding warmth, comfort and personality without taking away from the history that is already there.”

The kitchen is led by head chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred restaurant group, including time at L’Enclume and Fera at Claridge’s, and has since worked at Manchester House and The Grand in York, as well as leading his own venture, Craig Rogan at The Collective.

His accolades include Chef of the Year 2023 and Best Fine Dining Restaurant 2024 at the Oliver Awards.

Craig’s cooking focuses on exceptional British produce layered with subtle international influences, produce-led, bold and vibrant, and designed to suit the aesthetic of the venue from breakfast through to evening.