Here’s What to Expect Now That Freight Island Is Announced as New Operator ahead of Trinity Kitchen’s £15m Expansion

Anyone who’s been for a wander around Leeds city centre knows Trinity Kitchen. It’s that spot in Trinity Leeds where you can never quite decide what to eat because there are so many good choices. From the permanent fixtures to the ever-changing street food vans parked up inside, it’s been a game-changer for grabbing a bite while shopping. But it seems things are about to get even bigger and better. A massive £15 million investment is on the way to transform the Trinity Kitchen space, and a new operator, the super-cool Freight Island from Manchester, is set to take the reins. This is a huge deal for the city and promises a completely new food, dining, and entertainment experience.

A bit of background on Trinity Kitchen

Ever since it launched way back in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has done things differently. Instead of your standard shopping centre food court with the usual suspects, it brought a unique street food concept indoors. The idea was simple but brilliant: mix a few permanent eateries with a line-up of street food vans that change every few weeks. This meant there was always something new to try. One month you could be grabbing tacos from a van, the next it might be gourmet hot dogs. This clever concept has made it a go-to food destination in Leeds. Over the last ten years, it has given a platform to almost 300 independent food traders, letting them show off their amazing food to a massive audience. It's built a real community of food lovers and operators, making it much more than just a place to eat; it's a vibrant part of the city's food scene.

Get ready for a massive £15 million expansion

So, what does a £15 million investment get you? Well, a lot. This project is the biggest single investment Trinity Leeds has seen since the centre first opened its doors, which shows just how serious this expansion is. The plan, which has been given the green light by Leeds City Council, is to completely revitalise a 15,000 sq ft area above the current Trinity Kitchen that isn't being used. This will create a colossal 63,000 sq ft food and leisure destination. To put that into perspective, it's roughly the size of a football pitch. So, yeah, it's going to be big. A key part of this expansion is a brand-new outdoor terrace that will look out over City Square, offering some pretty amazing views of the city. Imagine enjoying great food and drinks with friends on a sunny afternoon on a rooftop terrace. That’s the kind of experience this new venue is aiming for. Construction is scheduled to start in late spring 2026, but the good news is that Trinity Kitchen will stay open the whole time, so nobody has to miss out on their favourite food fix while the work is going on.

So, who is this Freight Island?

The name taking over this huge new space is Freight Island. For those who haven't made the trip over to Manchester, Freight Island is a seriously popular entertainment and food hall destination that opened at Depot Mayfield in 2020. It's known for its incredible atmosphere, bringing together amazing independent food operators, great music, and a packed programme of events. It’s the kind of venue that’s buzzing from day to night. They’re also opening a new site in Newcastle, and this expansion into Trinity Leeds will be their fourth location. As an operator, Freight Island's job will be to manage the whole food and leisure space, bringing in new brands and independent food operators to create a top-tier dining and entertainment experience. Their involvement is a signal that this isn't just an expansion of a food court; it's the creation of a whole new leisure destination for the city.

What this all means for Leeds

This whole project is about creating something special for Leeds. Freight Island plans to inject new life and energy into the centre, creating jobs and attracting exciting new food brands. The goal is to elevate the guest experience, offering a much wider mix of food operators and creating better spaces for dining, socialising and entertainment. It’s a huge vote of confidence in the Leeds food scene and is set to build on the community Trinity Kitchen has already established.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, explained the vision:

“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.”

More than just a food hall

The team from Freight Island are just as excited about bringing their unique concept to the city. Their plan is to build on what makes Trinity Kitchen great and then dial it up to eleven. This means more food, more entertainment, and more reasons to visit the centre. It will become a true food and leisure hub.

Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island, shared his thoughts:

“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.”

It's clear that the future venue will be a dynamic destination for everyone. The focus isn't just on creating an amazing food hall, but on establishing a cultural venue that supports the local community and offers an unbeatable experience, whether for dining, leisure, or entertainment. This expansion is definitely one to watch.