Tour around the historic Leeds Corn Exchange

Inside the historic Leeds Corn Exchange

Find out about Cornucopia Leeds food event on 6 April 2012 at the Corn Exchange

There is no shortage of distinctive Victorian architecture in Leeds, and with its beautiful oval shape, arched windows and fancy pillared entrance the Corn Exchange is yet another fine example – completed in 1864 and now a Grade I listed building it was designed by Cuthbert Broderick who also drew up the plans for Leeds Town Hall.

The Leeds Corn Exchange

Once upon a time corn traders eagerly haggled here, and the commercial spirit lives on in the Corn Exchange of today – step inside and you’ll find a well-lit and attractively curving interior with a remarkable selection of innovative shops, boutiques and places to eat, composed mainly of independent retailers.

Boutique and designer clothes shops

If you love American retro then you’ll love All American Vintage with its high quality clothes and accessories direct from the USA. The clothes are mainly 1940’s to 1980’s and brought in predominantly from the New York City area, a place long renowned for its style and elegance.

For original designer clothes don’t miss The Hidden Wardrobe specialising in unique garments, and for dresses there’s Dawn Stretton with its range of prom dressses, cocktail dresses, little black dresses, and dresses for every occasion. On the upper level you will find Mad Elizabeth, a shop dedicated to selling vintage and recycled clothes, accessories & jewellery.

For lovers of cool, it’s worth taking a look at Miki which gives a distinctly Japanese take on the Ivy League look. Rude boys and girls will like Upstart Clothing with its iconic British gear, where you’ll find everything you need for a ska revival night and other traditional British pop gatherings. And not forgetting a treat for feet, there’s Russo Italia Shoes selling very chic Italian leather footwear.

If there’s a baby on the way, then how about Mummy and Little Me, which does an impressive range of pretty clothes and products for mothers and babies, making it also the perfect place to shop for eye-catching baby gifts if you have friends in the family way. The maternity wear ranges from casual maternity jeans to more formal maternity evening wear.

Jewellery and pampering for a loved one

The Corn Exchange has plenty of places to find interesting jewellery: Outrage Jewellery do hand-crafted jewellery, with unique items made from precious and semi-precious metals and stones. If you like the sparkly stuff, then there’s Bling with a glittering range of contemporary crystal jewellery. Lovely for novel gifts is the Little Pink Jewellery House which is set in the style of an elegant dressing room and has very much a boudoir feel.

Those in need of serious pampering in the bath department had better head for Body Lush with its brilliant selection of hand and body lotions, facial washes and treatments, bubble bath, shower gel and lots of other tonics and treats. Love cupcakes? How about getting a bath bomb that looks like one? Soap Star Gifts do these and lots of other bathtime goodies.

Art and music shops at the Leeds Corn Exchange

There are plenty of things for the home at the Corn Exchange as well: Yellow Sunrise has some colourful soft furnishings and home accessories, and if you want to liven up your walls with some art or your own family photo, then Xpress Art do canvas prints of any image in any format. Up on the balcony is Northern Acoustics specialising in acoustic guitars from beginner’s guitars to some real top of the range guitars, along with all the accessories, including strings, capos and the like.

Eating and drinking at the Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange also has plenty of places to grab some food and drink as well. Good for a snack and a coffee is Esquires Coffee House with its fairtrade expressos, lattes, and cappucinos as well as teas, muffins, and pastries. For a light meal there’s Primo’s with gourmet hot dogs, salads, nachos, bagels and other tasty stuff. For a more gourmet meal then look no further than Piazza by Anthony which covers the entire ground floor of the Corn Exchange, and offers a wide ranging top-quality menu.

For lighter meals Anthony’s also run La Cantina which is superb for sandwiches and quick lunches. Anthony’s at the Corn Exchange also have a Bakery doing a wide variety of artisan breads, a Patisserie with high quality cakes and pastries, a Fromagerie with a wide range of cheeses, a Chocolaterie, and even a Champagne Bar for some real chilling out.

Events at Leeds Corn Exchange

As well as its regular shops, the Corn Exchange frequently hosts vintage fairs, craft fairs and other collectors’ fairs.  So if all this is making you want to take a look for yourself, then the Corn Exchange is very easy to find: it’s on the corner of Call Lane and Cloth Hall Street, and only a short walk  from both the railway station and the bus station.

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