Leaf on Smithdown Road in Liverpool to open in September - exclusive

Leaf, Smithdown Road

Leaf expand their portfolio with a brand new venue on Smithdown Road, Getintothis’ Peter Guy charts the rise of Natalie Haywood’s enterprises.

The team behind LEAF are to open a new venue on Smithdown Road on Wednesday, September 4.

LEAF on Smithdown is the sixth venue run by Natalie Haywood and her team which includes LEAF on Bold Street, LEAF on Portland Street (Manchester), OH ME OH MY, ONE FINE DAY, and THE Garden by LEAF.

The latest addition, housed in the former Hattons train shop, looks set to repeat the trick by the hugely popular Bold Street venue which blends tea shop, music venue, arts space, restaurant and meeting place.

The opening of the new venue marks the start of LEAF’s 10th anniversary on Bold Street.

Alongside food and drink, LEAF on Smithdown will utilise its space to bring live music to the area which is already thriving with the likes of Naked Lunch Cafe, The Handyman Pub, Smithdown Social, Kellys Smithdown, Craft Taproom, Evil Eye and more, marking it out as one of the most thriving suburbs in the UK.

Natalie Haywood, founder of LEAF, said: “We’re so excited that the transformation of this iconic site is almost complete, and we’re chuffed with our new home.

“We’re really excited to take LEAF to the vibrant neighbourhood of Allerton and Smithdown – an area where we have spent our childhoods and a place we really care about.”

The very best of LEAF in Liverpool – all the best gigs and happenings from city centre staple

The venue will take the lead from its city sister on Bold Street, with a varied menu running through from breakfast to evening and serving their 60+ varieties of loose-leaf tea.

The striking art deco building on Bold Street has lofty, high ceilings and is home to an array of exciting events with the likes of Savages, Lapsley, Sturgill Simpson, Vetiver, Grant Lee Philips, By The Sea, MONEY, Julia Holter and music festivals Sound City and Music Week all taking place there.

The GIT Award also began life at LEAF on Bold Street with the first event being held there in 2012 and again the following year.

Leaf on Bold Street

LEAF on Smithdown will work with a lot of the same suppliers as LEAF on Bold Street, with a focus on ethical, diverse and wholesome produce.

Natalie added: “Having been on the lookout for a new site away from the city centre for many years, and with the company directors having been born and bred in the area, it was an unmissable opportunity and the perfect location to open LEAF’s new local.”

For more updates on Leaf on Smithdown check back in with Getintothis soon.