Sticks’n’Sushi Leeds: Danish-Japanese group takes 8,839 sq ft Grade II building as part of Vicar Lane regeneration

Danish-Japanese restaurant group Sticks’n’Sushi has confirmed it will open on Vicar Lane in Leeds, taking an 8,839 sq ft Grade II-listed building at number 80 as part of the heritage-led Vicar Lane regeneration scheme. The Sticks’n’Sushi Leeds restaurant will be the group’s 18th UK site and its 33rd globally, creating 60 jobs. It is due to open in early 2027, subject to planning approval. The building is owned by AIM-listed Leeds property company Town Centre Securities, which also owns the neighbouring former Flannels unit where Dishoom is due to open later this year.

What the Sticks’n’Sushi Leeds Site Will Include

The three-storey property will house a 220-cover dining room, a 30-cover terrace, and an upstairs bar with private hire space. Interiors are being designed by award-winning Berlin architects Diener & Diener, blending Japanese architectural principles with Scandinavian aesthetics. The menu will feature sharing dishes of sushi, sashimi, salads, and grilled yakitori sticks, available à la carte and as set menus for dine-in and takeaway.

“We are delighted to be joining this development; Vicar Lane is one of the most vibrant retail and leisure hubs in Leeds and aligns perfectly with our dining experience from lunch through to dinner. Continued UK expansion is central to our growth strategy, and we look forward to building a new team and becoming part of the Leeds community. This will mark our second north of England opening, following Manchester next month.”

— Andreas Karlsson, Group CEO, Sticks’n’Sushi

About the Brand

Sticks’n’Sushi was founded in Copenhagen in 1994 by brothers Jens and Kim Rahbek and Thor Anderson. The founders are half-Japanese, half-Danish, and the brand describes itself as “a cross between a Japanese traditionalist and a Danish anarchist.” The group now operates 12 restaurants in Copenhagen, three in Berlin, and 17 across the UK including sites in London, Cambridge, and Oxford. Manchester is due to open next month, with Leeds following as the second northern England location. The company’s ethos centres on what it calls “big smiles, small egos,” with a stated focus on team wellbeing and development.

Why this matters for Leeds

With Sticks’n’Sushi and Dishoom both confirmed for Grade II-listed buildings owned by Town Centre Securities, the stretch between Victoria Gate and Victoria Quarter is being positioned as premium hospitality. For Leeds, it’s 60 jobs, a 220-cover restaurant from an internationally recognised group, and further evidence that the city’s food and drink scene continues to attract serious operators.