The Smithfield Opens in Former The Reliance Site, Leeds 2026

Key points

• The Smithfield, a new hospitality and dining concept, has opened in Leeds in the former The Reliance site after more than two decades.
• The venue is a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan, combining relaxed service with simple, seasonal food.
• The building’s exterior has been restored to its dark‑red “Relly” look, which has been widely praised by former regulars of The Reliance.
• Staff and customers say the project aims to reconnect the space to the local community and to the building’s heritage while updating its offering.
• Social‑media users and local media have described the reopening as a careful homage to the old venue rather than a complete reinvention.

Leeds, (The Leeds Times) April 17, 2026 A Leeds icon has been reborn as The Smithfield opens in the former The Reliance site, taking over a much‑loved space that has been a fixture in the city for more than two decades. The venue, which opened recently, marks a new chapter for the building on Smithfield, a district that has long been a hub for food, drink and community life in the city.

What is The Smithfield and who is behind it?

The Smithfield is a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan, combining brewing know‑how with a relatively straightforward, seasonal‑led food concept.

According to background notes on the project, the team is framing the space as one that mixes relaxed hospitality with simple dining, rather than a high‑formality restaurant.

The involvement of Crooked Brewing signals a focus on on‑site beer and craft beverages, while Donovan’s role is positioned around the kitchen and the menu, which is described as aiming to highlight seasonal ingredients.

In interviews and promotional material, the project is presented as less about spectacle and more about “connection” – to the food, to the past of the building, and to the people who live and work nearby.

How has the building been transformed?

The team’s first and most visible move was the exterior paint job, which returned the façade to the dark red that longtime customers associated with The Reliance. Local media and social‑media accounts have called this

“the most‑talked‑about paint job in the city,”

highlighting how quickly the change caught the attention of passers‑by and former patrons.

One Instagram user, quoted in a post shared by the venue’s own account, wrote that the new team appears to have held

“the Relly in high regard and rightly so,”

adding that they hoped the new space could “recapture some of its magic.” That comment reflects a broader sentiment among some regulars of the old venue: that the exterior restoration is a sign of respect rather than a break from the past.

How does The Smithfield differ from The Reliance?

While the deep‑red façade is a direct visual echo of The Reliance, The Smithfield is still positioned as a new concept rather than a straight‑forward continuation of the old brand. The emphasis on Crooked Brewing’s involvement and on James Donovan’s kitchen points to a more modern, curated offering that blends craft beer with a pared‑back but considered menu.

As reported in local coverage, the goal is not to copy The Reliance exactly but to

“mix up relaxed hospitality with simple dining,”

suggesting shorter menus, fewer fine‑dining flourishes and a priority on easy conviviality. The use of the word “connection” in the venue’s own description – to seasonal food, to the building’s heritage and to the local community – indicates an attempt to position The Smithfield as both a neighbourhood hub and a revisiting of the site’s legacy.

How are locals reacting to the reopening?

Initial reactions from social‑media users and visitors have leaned positive, particularly around the restoration of the building’s exterior.

The dark‑red paint has been singled out as a nod to the old Reliance, and comments similar to the one quoted above suggest that many former customers welcome the homage.

At the same time, some posts and reviews note that this is a “newcomer to Leeds,” underscoring that the space is still being judged on its own terms.

As the venue settles into its first months, the balance between appealing to long‑time Reliance loyalists and attracting new clientele will likely be a key part of how its reputation develops.

What does this mean for the Smithfield area of Leeds?

The opening of The Smithfield adds another anchor tenant to the Smithfield quarter, which has been evolving as a mixed‑use area with markets, food outlets and cultural venues.

A project that explicitly references the heritage of a building while reworking its use may also encourage other local property and hospitality owners to consider how heritage and modern programming can sit together.

By emphasising community and seasonal food, The Smithfield could influence how other venues in the area frame their offerings, potentially nudging the district toward a more ingredient‑focused, neighbourhood‑centric dining culture. Equally, the way the team has handled the transition from The Reliance – visually and thematically – may set a precedent for how post‑rebranding projects are received by long‑time customers.

Background of the development

The Smithfield site in Leeds previously housed The Reliance for more than 20 years, a period during which it became a well‑known local venue and a reference point for many residents. The Reliance’s long run gave the building strong emotional and cultural value, which is why the decision to change the name and concept has drawn noticeable attention.

The new project sees Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan taking over that established space and reworking both its interior experience and its public image. The conscious return of the dark‑red façade positions the reopening as a respectful pass‑on of the torch rather than a clean‑break rewrite, while the introduction of a new brand – The Smithfield – signals that this is still a distinct chapter in the building’s history.

Prediction and likely impact on the audience

For local residents and regular visitors to the Smithfield area, the opening of The Smithfield offers a familiar‑looking building with a new, beer‑led, seasonal‑food offering. This could encourage more repeat visits from people who already know the location, while also drawing in younger or more beer‑oriented crowds who might not have engaged with the old Reliance format.