News.
Is Great George Street Leeds’ newest coffee quarter? North Star’s fourth opening joins growing café scene
27th July 2026
Independent Leeds coffee company, North Star, will open its fourth coffee shop on Monday 27 July, becoming one of the latest businesses to invest in Great George Street as the newly transformed city centre destination continues to evolve.
Opening in the former El’s Gourmet site, the new takeaway-focused coffee shop arrives following significant public realm improvements to Great George Street, including widened pavements and new outdoor seating areas designed to encourage people to spend more time in the area.
The opening reflects growing confidence in one of Leeds’ changing city centre streets, with North Star joining a growing cluster of independent coffee businesses helping shape the area’s daytime economy.
Designed around convenience without compromising on quality, the new kiosk-style café will serve the coffee and food North Star has become known for across Leeds, including ethically sourced specialty coffee, seasonal drink specials and a menu of freshly prepared food.
The café is supported by North Star’s dedicated kitchen, where the team prepares food for all four sites across the city. From freshly baked breads and sandwiches to daily bakes and breakfast offerings, everything is made with quality ingredients before being delivered to each location by e-cargo bike, ensuring freshness while supporting the city’s sustainable transport network. At the heart of the offering are North Star’s house-made sandwiches, crafted using schiacciata – a traditional Tuscan flatbread baked fresh in-house every morning.
The new location also offers a 15% discount for NHS staff, recognising the thousands of healthcare professionals working nearby.
Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters, said:
“Great George Street is changing quickly, and it’s exciting to be part of that transformation. The investment that’s gone into the street has created a much more welcoming environment for people to spend time in, and we believe that independent hospitality businesses have an important role to play in bringing these spaces to life.
We’ve always believed great coffee belongs at the heart of a thriving city. As a Leeds business, we’re proud to continue investing here and to contribute to an area that’s becoming an increasingly exciting destination for food, drink and independent businesses.”
The opening follows North Star’s continued investment across Leeds city centre as the business expands its retail presence while remaining committed to quality, sustainability and direct relationships with coffee producers.
Founded in Leeds in 2013, North Star was one of the North of England’s first specialty coffee roasters and is proud to be B Corp-certified and female founded. Over the past decade, the business has built a reputation for transparent sourcing, exceptional coffee and thoughtful hospitality, supplying cafés and restaurants across the UK alongside its own retail locations.
Their Great George Street opening is North Star’s fourth coffee shop and further strengthens the company’s long-term commitment to Leeds at a time when many hospitality businesses continue to face economic challenges.