Shopping in Leeds
Encyclopedia
Most of the retail activity in Leeds
, northern England
, is contained within central Leeds
. The city centre has attracted many upmarket retailers in recent years, including Harvey Nichols
, leading to Leeds being dubbed 'Knightsbridge of the North'.
to Boar Lane, but now extends north of The Headrow through the St. Johns, Merrion and The Light shopping centres. Most of the city's major shops are located north of Boar Lane and south of the Merrion Centre. Like any major city, the shopping district is home to both major international chains, including Marks & Spencer
(founded in 1894 on a small stall at the city's market), and independent shops. The Corn Exchange
has traditionally championed many of these shops and since a refurbishment in 2007–08, re-opened as a boutique shopping destination. The entire lower-ground level is now occupied by a new restaurant, the Piazza by Anthony, which has been followed by a growing number of independent fashion boutiques and creative enterprises, including Hidden Wardrobe and Outrage.
Most streets in the Shopping Quarter are connected to Briggate
. It is one of many of the main shopping streets and is also home to several national and international food chains.
Briggate is one of Leeds' main shopping streets, the other being The Headrow
. In the 1960s The Merrion Centre was constructed to provide the city centre with modern shopping facilities away from the increasingly busy roads.
Leeds city centre has many shopping centres including
The city also boasts many Victorian shopping arcades, particularly around Briggate
. The Victoria Quarter
is made up of shopping arcades.
Pedestrianisation
Much of the shopping areas of Leeds city centre have been pedestrianised. Briggate
, Lands Lane, Albion Place, Bond Street, Commercial Street
, King Edwards and Kirkgate (from Briggate to Vicar Lane) have all been pedestrianised.
Markets
There are two markets in Leeds city centre. The main one is Leeds City Market
, named Kirkgate Market locally, on Vicar Lane which is made up of several halls built at different times over the last century. It is Europe's largest covered market. There is also a smaller outdoor trading area at Kirkgate Market. The original markets where Michael Marks
started his Penny Bazaar, which became Marks and Spencer were located near to City Square
.
There are the smaller Merrion Markets in The Merrion Centre which are significantly smaller than those of Vicar Lane.
There are regular Sunday Farmers Markets on Briggate and an annual Christmas Market
in Millennium Square.
Leeds Corn Exchange
The Leeds Corn Exchange
is located on Vicar Lane close to Leeds Kirkgate Markets. Following a £1.5m refurbishment in 2008, Leeds Corn Exchange
is now home to a range of creative, innovative and independent retailers. Already home to Piazza by Anthony, The Hidden Wardrobe, Dawn Stretton and Outrage Jewellery, in early 2010 Leeds Corn Exchange welcomed Primo's, Russo Italia, Mki and Mummy & Little Me.
Clarence Dock
Clarence Dock
is a new riverside development on the outskirts of central Leeds
that opened in 2008. Clarence Dock attracted many up-market shops including G-Star, All Saints and more. It also has restaurants, bars and riverside apartments.
The White Rose Centre
is a large out of town shopping centre situated in between Beeston
and Morley
. It opened in 1997 and boasts 4800 free parking spaces as well as 107 shops. The White Rose Centre is anchored by Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Debenhams
, British Home Stores and Primark
. The centre has a large central food court. The White Rose Centre has its own bus station
, but despite it being located adjacent to a railway line, it has no station, the nearest being Cottingley railway station
.
was founded in Leeds and has its headquarters in the city. Below is a list of the city's supermarkets. A supermarket is considered worthy of noting on this list if its square footage qualifies it for reduced Sunday opening under the law in England and Wales.
Beeston
Bramley
Chapel Allerton
City centre
Colton
Cross Gates
Garforth
Gipton
Guiseley
Headingley
Holt Park
Horsforth
Hunslet
Killingbeck
Kippax
Kirkstall
Middleton
Meanwood
Moor Allerton
Moortown
Morley
Oakwood/Roundhay
Otley
Pudsey
Rothwell
Seacroft
Stanningley
Swillington
White Rose Centre
Wortley
Wetherby
Yeadon
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, northern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, is contained within central Leeds
Leeds City Centre
Leeds city centre is the central business district of Leeds, England. It is within the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, represented by Hilary Benn as MP since a by-election in 1999...
. The city centre has attracted many upmarket retailers in recent years, including Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols, founded in 1813, is an upmarket department store chain. Its original store is in London. Founded in 1813 as a linen shop, it sells many international brands of clothing for women and men, fashion accessories, beauty products, wine and food...
, leading to Leeds being dubbed 'Knightsbridge of the North'.
City centre
The Shopping Quarter of Leeds city centre is the area which traditionally extended south from The HeadrowThe Headrow
The Headrow is an avenue in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire, England. It holds many of the city's premier shopping, civic and cultural attractions including Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Central Library, Leeds Art Gallery, The Henry Moore Institute and The Light...
to Boar Lane, but now extends north of The Headrow through the St. Johns, Merrion and The Light shopping centres. Most of the city's major shops are located north of Boar Lane and south of the Merrion Centre. Like any major city, the shopping district is home to both major international chains, including Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
(founded in 1894 on a small stall at the city's market), and independent shops. The Corn Exchange
Leeds Corn Exchange
The Leeds Corn Exchange is a Victorian building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and completed in 1864...
has traditionally championed many of these shops and since a refurbishment in 2007–08, re-opened as a boutique shopping destination. The entire lower-ground level is now occupied by a new restaurant, the Piazza by Anthony, which has been followed by a growing number of independent fashion boutiques and creative enterprises, including Hidden Wardrobe and Outrage.
Most streets in the Shopping Quarter are connected to Briggate
Briggate
Briggate is one of the pedestrianised principal shopping streets in central Leeds, England. Most of Leeds' department stores are on Briggate, including the Harvey Nichols branch. It is home to a number of major high street retailers as well as banks, restaurants and cafes. Recently there have been...
. It is one of many of the main shopping streets and is also home to several national and international food chains.
Briggate is one of Leeds' main shopping streets, the other being The Headrow
The Headrow
The Headrow is an avenue in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire, England. It holds many of the city's premier shopping, civic and cultural attractions including Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Central Library, Leeds Art Gallery, The Henry Moore Institute and The Light...
. In the 1960s The Merrion Centre was constructed to provide the city centre with modern shopping facilities away from the increasingly busy roads.
Leeds city centre has many shopping centres including
- The Merrion Centre (1960s)
- The St Johns Centre (1980s)
- The Leeds Shopping PlazaLeeds Shopping PlazaThe Leeds Shopping Plaza is a shopping centre in Leeds, England surrounded by the streets of Bond Street, Albion Street, Boar Lane and Lower Basinghall Street...
(formerly the Bond Street Precinct) (1980s) - The Headrow Centre (formerly the Schofield Centre) (1990s)
- The Light (2000s)
The city also boasts many Victorian shopping arcades, particularly around Briggate
Briggate
Briggate is one of the pedestrianised principal shopping streets in central Leeds, England. Most of Leeds' department stores are on Briggate, including the Harvey Nichols branch. It is home to a number of major high street retailers as well as banks, restaurants and cafes. Recently there have been...
. The Victoria Quarter
Victoria Quarter
The Victoria Quarter is an upmarket shopping area in Leeds, England. It consists of three blocks situated between Briggate and Vicar Lane, comprising the County Arcade, Cross Arcade, Queen Victoria Street and King Edward Street....
is made up of shopping arcades.
Pedestrianisation
Much of the shopping areas of Leeds city centre have been pedestrianised. Briggate
Briggate
Briggate is one of the pedestrianised principal shopping streets in central Leeds, England. Most of Leeds' department stores are on Briggate, including the Harvey Nichols branch. It is home to a number of major high street retailers as well as banks, restaurants and cafes. Recently there have been...
, Lands Lane, Albion Place, Bond Street, Commercial Street
Commercial Street
Commercial Street may refer to:* Commercial Street, Leith* Commercial Street, Leeds* Commercial Street * Commercial Street, Bangalore* Commercial Street, Lerwick* Commercial Street...
, King Edwards and Kirkgate (from Briggate to Vicar Lane) have all been pedestrianised.
Markets
There are two markets in Leeds city centre. The main one is Leeds City Market
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Leeds Kirkgate Market is a market in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England located on Vicar Lane. It is the largest covered market in Europe. There are currently 800 stalls which attract over 100,000 visitors a week.-History:...
, named Kirkgate Market locally, on Vicar Lane which is made up of several halls built at different times over the last century. It is Europe's largest covered market. There is also a smaller outdoor trading area at Kirkgate Market. The original markets where Michael Marks
Michael Marks
Michael Marks, , was one of the two co-founders of the retail chain Marks & Spencer.-Biography:...
started his Penny Bazaar, which became Marks and Spencer were located near to City Square
Leeds City Square
City Square is a paved open area in Leeds city centre in West Yorkshire, England.In 1897, the Leeds city council of the time wanted to improve the open space near to the Post Office and in 1899 work was completed. The city square was enhanced with the erection of statues, the grandest being the...
.
There are the smaller Merrion Markets in The Merrion Centre which are significantly smaller than those of Vicar Lane.
There are regular Sunday Farmers Markets on Briggate and an annual Christmas Market
Christmas Market
A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent...
in Millennium Square.
Leeds Corn Exchange
The Leeds Corn Exchange
Leeds Corn Exchange
The Leeds Corn Exchange is a Victorian building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and completed in 1864...
is located on Vicar Lane close to Leeds Kirkgate Markets. Following a £1.5m refurbishment in 2008, Leeds Corn Exchange
Leeds Corn Exchange
The Leeds Corn Exchange is a Victorian building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and completed in 1864...
is now home to a range of creative, innovative and independent retailers. Already home to Piazza by Anthony, The Hidden Wardrobe, Dawn Stretton and Outrage Jewellery, in early 2010 Leeds Corn Exchange welcomed Primo's, Russo Italia, Mki and Mummy & Little Me.
Clarence Dock
Clarence Dock
Clarence Dock (Leeds)
Clarence Dock is a shopping and leisure destination in central Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It also hosts a large residential population in waterside apartments, as well as a significant office presence....
is a new riverside development on the outskirts of central Leeds
Leeds City Centre
Leeds city centre is the central business district of Leeds, England. It is within the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, represented by Hilary Benn as MP since a by-election in 1999...
that opened in 2008. Clarence Dock attracted many up-market shops including G-Star, All Saints and more. It also has restaurants, bars and riverside apartments.
White Rose Centre
The White Rose Centre
White Rose Centre
The White Rose Centre is a shopping centre in the Churwell area of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It spans two floors and is linked to the M621 motorway. It takes its name from the White Rose of York, the traditional symbol of Yorkshire. The Upper Level houses the Centre's 'Upper...
is a large out of town shopping centre situated in between Beeston
Beeston, Leeds
Beeston is a suburb Leeds, West Yorkshire, England located about 2 miles south of the city centre. The area is separated from surrounding areas to the north, east and west by the M621 motorway....
and Morley
Morley, West Yorkshire
Morley is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It lies approximately south-west of Leeds city centre. Together with Drighlington, Gildersome, Churwell, Tingley and East/West Ardsley, the town had a population of 47,579 in...
. It opened in 1997 and boasts 4800 free parking spaces as well as 107 shops. The White Rose Centre is anchored by Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Debenhams
Debenhams
Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The Company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops...
, British Home Stores and Primark
Primark
Primark is a clothing retailer, operating over 223 stores in Ireland , the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium...
. The centre has a large central food court. The White Rose Centre has its own bus station
Bus station
A bus station is a structure where city or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. It is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can stop...
, but despite it being located adjacent to a railway line, it has no station, the nearest being Cottingley railway station
Cottingley railway station
Cottingley railway station serves the Cottingley area of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It lies south west of Leeds on the Huddersfield Line. The station was opened in May 1988 with financial assistance from West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and is managed by Northern Rail, who...
.
Supermarkets
Leeds has many supermarkets. The UK's second largest supermarket, AsdaAsda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
was founded in Leeds and has its headquarters in the city. Below is a list of the city's supermarkets. A supermarket is considered worthy of noting on this list if its square footage qualifies it for reduced Sunday opening under the law in England and Wales.
Beeston
- Co-operative
Bramley
- Morrisons
- Tesco
Chapel Allerton
- Somerfield
- Aldi
- Marks & Spencer (Food Department)
- Marks & Spencer Simply Food
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury's (2)
- Tesco metro (3)
- Waitrose
Colton
- Sainsbury's
Cross Gates
- Netto
- Marks & Spencer Simply Food
- Tesco Metro
Garforth
- Tesco
Gipton
- Lidl
Guiseley
- Morrisons
- Marks & Spencer
Headingley
- Sainsbury's
- ASDA
Horsforth
- Morrisons
- Aldi
- Morrions
Killingbeck
- ASDA
Kippax
- Co-operative
Kirkstall
- Iceland
- Morrisons
Middleton
- Iceland
Meanwood
- Aldi
- Netto
- Waitrose
Moor Allerton
- Sainsbury's
Moortown
- Marks and Spencer Simply Food
Morley
- ASDA
- Morrisons
Oakwood/Roundhay
- Somerfield
- Tesco
Otley
- Netto
- Waitrose
- Sainsburys
- Jack Fultons
Pudsey
- ASDA
- Marks and Spencer (Food Hall)
Rothwell
- Morrisons
- Tesco Express
- Lidl (Oulton)
- Co-Operative (Woodlesford)
- Tesco Extra
Stanningley
- ASDA
Swillington
- Tesco Metro
White Rose Centre
- Marks & Spencer (Food Department)
- Sainsburys
Wortley
- Netto
- Marks and Spencer Simply Food
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury's
Yeadon
- Morrisons