Throughout the UK, life is changing. Whether that’s down to house prices, the job market, or wider society. But there’s one universal question that remains a constant: “Fancy a cuppa?”

And as we live in an age dominated by endless scrolling, algorithmic playlists and grab-and-go coffee culture, Leeds’ Vinyl Grounds is offering something increasingly rare: intention.

Tucked away on Central Road, the independent coffee and wine bar – launched by Punjabi couple Saroop Sangha and Jasbir Lalerea – has quietly become a gathering place for people who appreciate good music, thoughtful design, and genuine connection. At first glance, it’s a beautifully curated space defined by warm interiors, vintage furniture, and shelves lined with a thoughtful selection of vinyl records. Spend a little more time there, however, and you realise the vinyls on display are the foundation of the entire experience.

Vinyl Grounds was founded through a shared love of music, culture, style, and community. It thrives off the idea that great spaces should encourage people to slow down. Records spin from morning through to evening, with carefully selected albums replacing the generic streaming platforms that dominate most coffee and wine spots around town. From Amy Winehouse and Kendrick Lamar to Lauryn Hill and The Notorious B.I.G., every record has been chosen with purpose.

The result? A space where music becomes a conversation starter. Customers, including myself during my visit, ask about albums, share recommendations and connect over a mutual appreciation for artists old and new. The coffee and wine may bring punters through the door, but it’s the atmosphere that turns first-timers into regulars.

Community sits at the heart of everything Vinyl Grounds does. While many businesses begin with a gap in the market or a trend forecast, Sangha and Lalerea took a different approach. They focused on creating the type of space that wanted to spend time in themselves.

"We wanted to build a community, create a space where people could meet, have conversations and make memories," explains Sangha. "As a first business, our goal was never to make millions overnight. We wanted to build a community and create a space where people could genuinely connect."

That mindset also informed their decision to launch in Leeds. Having studied in Manchester and grown up in the West Midlands, the pair considered a number of locations before settling on Yorkshire. "Personally, Leeds makes me feel safe," says Sangha. "The people here are incredibly genuine and supportive. Everyone who comes into the store has a real appreciation for small businesses. People are polite, interested in what you're doing, and genuinely want to see you succeed."

That support has played a major role in Vinyl Grounds' early success. Just six months after opening, the venue has already established itself as a hub for creatives, students, entrepreneurs and locals alike. Yet for the founders, the appeal of Leeds goes beyond business.

"It's also a very inclusive city," Sangha continues. "People from all backgrounds genuinely feel welcome here, and that's something we value enormously."

Inclusivity is something both founders speak about passionately. As proud members of the Punjabi community, they wanted Vinyl Grounds to reflect the reality of modern Britain: diverse, welcoming and built around shared experiences.

"Community is everything," says Sangha. "We wanted to create a space that reflects modern Britain and celebrates the diversity that exists here. We have customers from every background, and one of the most rewarding parts of the business is seeing people connect regardless of age, race or religion."

For Lalerea, those connections feel particularly important at a time when people are increasingly divided by both technology and circumstance. "Especially with everything happening in the world today, community feels more important than ever," he says. "What we've built here brings together people from all walks of life. Seeing older generations embrace what we're doing means a lot to us."

The idea for Vinyl Grounds was born thousands of miles away from Leeds. During their travels, Sangha and Lalerea became fascinated by hospitality spaces that blurred the lines between café, bar and cultural destination. New York's coffee culture left a lasting impression, while Europe's late-night cafés demonstrated how social spaces could evolve throughout the day.

"We spent time in cafés and bars and became fascinated by coffee culture and social spaces that worked throughout the day," recalls Sangha. "Then we visited Dante's HiFi in Miami, and everything clicked. It felt like the physical version of what we'd been imagining."

Music, naturally, remains the defining feature of Vinyl Grounds. In an era where almost every song ever recorded can be accessed instantly through a smartphone, Vinyl Grounds is embracing a format many would consider old-fashioned. Yet that nostalgia is precisely what makes vinyl feel relevant again. "The format is old-school, but the music isn't," says Lalerea. "We play everything from classic records to contemporary artists, and that creates a bridge between generations."

"Families often come in and tell us they used to own record players," Lalerea continues. "Younger customers are discovering vinyl for the first time. It creates shared experiences across different age groups.

“We're living in a very digital world. One thing we love about this space is that people can be present. Some come alone to read, others come to spend time with friends. Because the music is played on vinyl, people engage with it more intentionally."

Growing up in the West Midlands, both founders were exposed to an eclectic mix of sounds, from Bollywood and Punjabi folk music to jazz, hip-hop and classic rock. Those influences continue to shape both the atmosphere of Vinyl Grounds and the records that line its shelves.

"Music has always been central to what we do," says Sangha. "Growing up in the West Midlands, we were exposed to an incredible mix of sounds; Bollywood, Punjabi music, folk, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and classic rock." Recently, he returned from India with a collection of Punjabi folk records: “The songs often explore struggle, aspiration and gratitude," he says. "Many celebrate a simple life and finding happiness in what you already have.”

Style and self-expression also play a significant role within the Vinyl Grounds ecosystem. The space itself feels informed by fashion as much as hospitality, while the founders' own approach to dressing has become part of the venue's identity.

"Early on, I was very focused on brands and labels," Sangha says. “As we've gotten older, we've become more interested in how things work together and the stories behind them. We've genuinely built friendships through fashion. There have been countless conversations that started because someone walked in wearing a great coat or a piece we recognised."

That crossover between music, fashion and culture feels particularly relevant within Leeds' growing creative scene. As remote working continues to reshape where people choose to live and work, cities outside London are increasingly becoming destinations in their own right. "We've seen a shift in recent years where more creative people are staying in the North," says Sangha. "Remote working has allowed talented designers, marketers, photographers and entrepreneurs to build careers without feeling like they need to move to London." Lalerea agrees.

"Cities like Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh now have incredibly strong creative communities," he says. "The talent has always been here, but now people are investing their energy into building those local scenes instead of leaving."

Looking ahead, both founders are ambitious about the future of Vinyl Grounds, but growth isn't necessarily measured in square footage or store count. "For me, it's about impact," says Sangha. "I'd love for us to do more work across charity, sport, art and education. I don't want there to be many things that feel off-limits." Expansion may happen in time, but maintaining the spirit of the space remains the priority.

"We'd love to use our backgrounds and education to share knowledge," adds Lalerea. "Whether that's talking about coffee, sustainability, climate issues or the global supply chain, there are opportunities to educate people while still creating a welcoming social space. Ultimately, we want Vinyl Grounds to be known for bringing people together. Everything else grows from that."

This is what makes Saroop Sangha and Jasbir Lalerea Hometown Heroes in their own right. Their establishment is built on bringing people together; to create friendships, memories and conversation. The world is moving at an increasingly fast pace, but Vinyl Grounds is encouraging its community to take a step back through a good old glass, or mug, of the good stuff.