Chow Down's festive themed Winter Arches postponed due to lockdown

The outdoor Winter Arches experience was set to be open throughout the Christmas period from November 12 to January 1.

It comes after the huge success of the 10-week summer festival and sold out events for Oktoberfest and Halloween.

The new festival would have featured four socially distanced seating areas including the covered Pröst Hall, the luxury Winter Snugs, the Winter Pergola and the cost Stretch tent.

Two permanent vendors would serve up holiday favourites like German Wurst and waffles, churros and pancakes.

Three other rotating vendors would come to serve up their own winter specials.

As well as Christmas drinks like mulled wine, hot chocolate and German Steins - the plan was also to have a weekly roster of headline DJs, Christmas bands and the Chown Down House choir.

However, due to the new restrictions, the event has now been delayed.

Organisers hope to be able to put on the event following the end of the four-week lockdown period on December 2.

There will now be two last Chow Down events before the lockdown is implemented on Thursday, November 4.

Simon Fogal, Director of Chapter81, LeedsIndieFood and co-Founder of ChowDown, said: "Following the government's announcement over this weekend, we're sadly having to put a pause on the opening of Winter Arches at Chow Down.

"Chow Down organisers will be hosting two final events in Leeds before the city is placed into lockdown.

"The food and beer festival, held a the Temple Arches in Globe Road,

"This Tuesday and Wednesday evening, we'll be open for one last hurrah, with WhatTheCluck, Luigi Street Food, Neon Cactus and Lekker EatDutch serving up the last supper.

"As always, we'll be operating under Covid-secure rules. All tables are socially distanced and bookings can only be made to the Rule of Six.

-> First pictures of huge Chow Down food festival at Temple Arches in LeedsSimon added: "With a new, prolonged period of no trading on the horizon, this will allow us to run our stock down and give one last shot of support to the incredible independent businesses and artists that we support, as well as providing our staff with some extra hours of paid work.

"We hope you people join us and we thank all the customers for their support so far. Bookings will open for this www.chowdownevents.co.uk."Once the lockdown measures are eased and if we are permitted to, we intend to start our Winter Arches concept.”

-> Leeds German Christmas Market on Millennium Square cancelled over coronavirus fears

When is the second lockdown?

England will enter its second national lockdown this week as coronavirus cases continue to rise across most regions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the stricter measures on 31 October after growing concern that the tiered local lockdown system was not enough to stop the virus spreading.

He said a second lockdown in England was necessary to prevent a “medical and moral disaster” for the NHS and that taking drastic action now will mean families can be together at Christmas.

The restrictions, which come into place this Thursday, will last for four weeks until 2 December when regions will move back into the tiered system.