While many businesses are cutting back during the downturn, Opposite Cafe in Woodhouse has proved such a hit over the past four years it is now expanding.

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Former Leeds Met student Louisa Henry, who is opening her second outlet in the Victoria Quarter at the beginning of July, said: "I think coffee is really fascinating and there are a lot of coffee geeks out there and there's nowhere for them to go in the North of England."

The 30-year-old, who lives in Leeds city centre, added: "I wanted a site that I could make my dream espresso bar and put all my knowledge into practice."

And she is not daunted by expanding during the downturn: "They always say it's the best time to open a new business, in a recession.

"If we can make this site work, which I think we can, when the economy recovers in a few years we will be mega successful."

Louisa studied furniture and product design at Leeds Met but dropped out in her second year, taking on various different jobs as she was unsure what she wanted to do.

But when she noticed the ground-floor unit up for rent on Blenheim Terrace she decided she would open a cafe - despite having no experience of the industry.

But the eaterie, serving up fresh, local, ethically-sourced, affordable food, soon becoming a firm favourite among the city's huge student population.

Louisa named it Opposite because it faces the University of Leeds Parkinson Building and is "the opposite of what all the chains are trying to do."

Six months after opening she was crowned the best coffee maker in the north of England and second best in the country in the UK Barista Championship.

She now has around 22 staff, increasing to around 28 in September when the students return.

The new venture, also called Opposite Cafe, will be in the upper gazebo on Queen Victoria Street so only needs two staff.