Business Details
Your Local Caf & Craft Workshop Hub in Leeds
Established as a family-run enterprise in Leeds, Rivers MEET Craft Cafe combines a traditional craft caf with creative workshops and event spaces. Our caf serves freshly prepared meals using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from trusted suppliers like Cottage Bakery and Swillington Organic Farm. We prioritise ethical sourcing to reduce food miles while offering a menu featuring homemade cakes, specialty teas, and freshly ground Leeds-roasted coffee. The venue hosts craft fairs, live music, and theatre performances, with a function room available for hire catering to diverse events from baby showers to training sessions.Our craft workshops, led by experienced tutors like Joanne Plenderleith and Julie Hollings, cover sewing, quilting, and more, alongside a retail shop selling handmade crafts and eco-friendly products. We maintain a commitment to community engagement, providing accessible spaces for creative learning and social gatherings.
Services
Caf
Craft Workshops
Event Venue Hire
Retail Shop
Catering
Highlights and features
- We operate as a family-run business with deep local connections
- Our menu features 100% locally sourced produce from trusted suppliers
- We offer dedicated craft workshops led by qualified tutors
- Our function room accommodates diverse events from 10am-3pm daily
- We maintain a retail shop showcasing handmade and eco-friendly products
Services
Caf
Our caf serves freshly prepared meals using locally sourced ingredients. We offer breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea options alongside daily-baked cakes and specialty teas. The menu features dishes like hand-made ravioli and classic cheesecake, with all food prepared on-site using seasonal produce from trusted local suppliers.
Craft Workshops
We host regular craft workshops covering sewing, quilting, and children's classes. Led by experienced tutors, these sessions cater to all skill levels. The venue also provides space for independent craft tutors to run their own workshops, with flexible booking options available for regular class instructors.
Event Venue Hire
Our function room accommodates events from baby showers to training sessions. The space includes a licensed bar and offers catering options. Available for craft workshops, theatre performances, and private functions, the room provides a versatile venue with daily hire rates and support for event organisation.
Retail Shop
The Shop at Rivers MEET Craft Cafe offers handmade crafts, vintage items, and eco-friendly products. Stock includes bespoke knitwear, handmade jewellery, and plant-based skincare. We feature local artisans' work and provide a platform for independent makers to showcase their creations to visiting customers.
Catering
We provide catering services for events held in our function room. Options include buffet spreads, afternoon teas, and bespoke menus for special occasions. All catering uses locally sourced ingredients, with dietary requirements accommodated through advance arrangements with our kitchen team.
People
Joanne Plenderleith
Owner & Tutor
Qualified further education teacher with 25+ years' experience, registered Fashion and Soft Furnishings City and Guilds Verifier, former theatrical costumier and Royal Armouries Museum wardrobe mistress.
Julie Hollings
Sewing Tutor
Self-taught sewer with extensive experience in dressmaking and soft furnishings, teaching beginner's sewing classes since 2016, specialising in reviving traditional sewing skills for modern applications.
Questions
What are rivers MEET's opening hours?
We're open daily from 10:00am-3:00pm (9:30am-3:00pm Friday-Sunday). The kitchen closes at 2:00pm for food orders.
Do you offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes, our menu includes vegetarian dishes like hand-made ravioli and vegan options such as tofu skewers with seasonal vegetables.
Can I hire the function room for private events?
Yes, our function room is available for hire for events including baby showers, training sessions, and craft workshops with catering options available.
Are craft workshops suitable for beginners?
Yes, we offer workshops for all skill levels including dedicated beginner's sewing classes and regular 'drop-in' sessions like knit & natter.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash payments at our café counter. For workshop bookings, payments can be arranged via phone or email contact.
Where do you source your ingredients?
All ingredients come from local suppliers including Cottage Bakery, Swillington Organic Farm, and CLO coffee roasted in Leeds.
