Do you know about the Victoria Quarter arcade? What about the Trinity Leeds Mall? Or the Kirkgate Market? If you're in
Leeds, you should definitely know these hotspots. They have some of the best shopping in the city! Leeds may not be known for its fashion or even as a shopping destination, but this doesn't mean that there's no place to spend your money here. From the most historic to the most bohemian, shopping in Leeds guarantees a unique retail experience you won't find anywhere else. And who knows? You might end up loving it here more than in more famous cities!
Victoria Quarter
Technically, Victoria Leeds is made of two parts: the mall itself and the historic Victoria Quarter. The latter is a Grade II shopping arcade that has been around since the 19th century. From then to now, the fabulous array of shops have served as the most fashionable part of the city. Like a moth to a flame, the city's elites would go here to shop, browse, dine out, and more. Today, residents and tourists alike continue to do this, especially since Victoria Quarter still has an amazing slew of local and international stores, boutiques, and more, but there's no denying that its old-world architecture is the main draw!
Victoria Leeds
The second part of Victoria Leeds is the shopping district itself. Located at the city centre, right in the middle of the
central neighborhoods in Leeds, Victoria Leeds is the ultimate retail destination in the city. The famous Victoria Quarter is only one part of it, the rest is a treasure trove of famous brands and luxury labels. Louis Vuitton, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood, and Cos are just some of the familiar names you'll find here. Admittedly more expensive than most could afford, Victoria Leeds proves that even a city in the countryside like Leeds can offer as much glamour and luxury as London.
Harvey Nichols
What's another familiar name you'll encounter in the fashionable Victoria Leeds shopping district? Harvey Nichols! This famous
British luxury retailer set up shop in Leeds in 1996, and since then, it has served as the premier high-end department store in the city. Admittedly though, the branch here is much smaller compared to the original flagship store in London's prestigious Knightsbridge district, but it's nevertheless just as luxurious. The Leeds store carries the same brands, including Balenciaga, Balmain, Armani, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloe, Celine, Gucci, Givenchy, and more. They provide a high-fashion tinge to this bustling metropolis.
Corn Exchange
Prefer to shop at more unique stores instead of just these famous brands? Then check out the Leeds Corn Exchange. Known for its grand Italianate-style architecture, the place itself is a Grade I listed building, drawing both locals and tourists alike. It's the kind of historic landmark that's perfect to visit on a free
day in Leeds, especially since it now houses all sorts of indie boutiques, local shops, and the like. From the All Blues Co. menswear shop to the Cours May Vary lifestyle store, these are names that you're likely unfamiliar with and won't find anywhere else.
Central Arcade
The Central Arcade is another covered shopping district right by the city centre of Leeds. Compared to the more historic Victoria Quarter, however, this one is much more modern and contemporary. It's also a lot more eclectic, offering a nice mix of familiar brands and a few high-end boutiques and local labels and indie shops you've probably never heard of. Among the most notable is The Allotment Store on the first floor, which features a fabulous collection of designer pieces from Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens, among many others. On other floors, there are popular restaurants, cool bars, workout studios, and more.
Trinity Leeds
The shopping in Leeds isn't just one retail arcade after another. There are still typical malls in the city, the most famous of which is Trinity Leeds on Albion Street. Famous as it is, it's still a normal shopping centre that maintains a nice balance between well-known high-street brands and underrated local labels. You'll certainly find familiar names like H&M, Hollister, Marks & Spencer, Levi's, Nike, and Primark here, which are brands most could afford. Hence, Trinity Leeds is often considered the budget-friendly contrast to the more luxurious Victoria Leeds and Central Arcade.
Kirkgate Market
Shopping is as much about food as it is about fashion. Just look at the famous Kirkgate Market! Also located in the city centre of Leeds, this large covered market stands out with its mix of Victorian Gothic and Edwardian architectural styles, with a Flemish/Art Nouveau entrance facade. The look of the place is so striking that it's become just as popular a tourist attraction as the City Hall, Leeds Castle, and the like. Inside, there are stalls upon stalls of fresh produce, food stores, indie boutiques, arts & crafts, and more. There's no limit to what you can find and purchase here!
Headingley Central
For this last one, let's head to Headingley, one of the suburbs of Leeds. In this town's ever-bustling Otley Road, Headingley Central stands as the ultimate retail hotspot this side of Yorkshire. There are local boutiques, famous restaurants, homeware shops, and more here. While it's not the only shopping destination in Headingley, it's still one of the easiest to navigate. The entire mall practically serves as a one-stop shop for anything and everything you need, especially if you’ve just
moved to Leeds and settled down in this suburb. Moreover, it's also a great place to hang out with friends on the weekends.
Leeds deserves more recognition as one of the top shopping destinations in the UK. The city has everything, from historic shopping arcades to famous luxury department stores. There are many places to get your much-needed retail therapy in Leeds!
