Empire expands with the addition of a new venue

The acclaimed team behind Leeds’ much-loved Empire Cafe is excited to announce its expansion with the takeover of The Highland Pub in Burley. 

This new venture, renamed The Highland Laddie, brings Empire’s commitment to quality and community to a beloved local landmark that has stood empty since April 2023.

With a reputation forged by quickly establishing Empire Cafe as an artisanal haven, founders Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton and their talented team are poised to elevate The Highland, building on its pub heritage with a refined food and drink offering.

The move will create a Senior Management Team working across both venues, ensuring the same high standards across both locations. Sam Greedy will assume the position of Operations Manager, while Saoirse McLaughlin will be the Executive Pastry Chef, and Alex Holmes will be the Beverage Manager.

Joining them in this endeavour are Joe Caroll (Head Chef Crafthouse/Three’s a Crowd), the Highland Laddie’s new Head Chef, and Jon Hughes (Head Chef Man Behind the Curtain), who will continue to oversee the kitchen at Empire Cafe. Pullan will resume his role as executive chef, ensuring a seamless blend of culinary excellence across locations and continuing the work that saw the venue named CODE Hospitality’s Happiest Places to Work 2024, make the OFM Good Food Guide and pick up the Oliver Award’s Best Cafe – while also being favourited by the likes of food critics Jay Rayner and Jill Turron.

The Highland Laddie will retain its historical charm while undergoing refinements to enhance its casual yet sophisticated dining experience. Drawing on Empire’s success in serving comfort food with a fine-dining approach, Pullan will bring the pub back to life by adding a menu cooked over flame, supported by a host of small plates designed to enhance the traditional pub atmosphere. This will be supported by a drinks lineup that includes cask ales, Guinness, a curated selection of local beers, natural wines, high-end spirits, and a concise cocktail menu.

“We see no difference between running a pub or a café; both serve the community. Our goal is simply to do it better,” said Sam Pullan.

“We’re stepping into another heritage building in Leeds to refine and enhance it, much like we did with Empire Cafe. First and foremost, it will be a pub where you can come and have a drink, much like Empire, where you can still come and get a bacon sandwich and a mug of tea. We want to embrace the heritage and pub tradition but make it our own.”

The takeover comes at a challenging time for Leeds’ hospitality industry, as many prominent establishments have recently closed their doors. This includes favourites such as Man Behind the Curtain, Home, Iberica, Watermark, El Gato Negro and The Collective.

The Highland Laddie will open this spring for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.