Shopping in Leeds - City Centre

City Centre

The Shopping Quarter of Leeds city centre is the area which traditionally extended south from The Headrow 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 Merrion Centre (1960s)
• The St Johns Centre (1980s)
• The Headrow Centre (formerly the Schofield Centre) (1990s)
• The Light (2000s)
• Trinity Leeds (2013)

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.