Leeds is well known for its huge number of high street shops, shopping centres, malls and department stores. Thousands of people visit Leeds every week to peruse these shops at their leisure, but many are likely to miss the abundance of unique and boutique stores that the city has to offer. Often located just out of view from the city centre, these hidden gems could go unnoticed. There are a handful of independent confectioners, bakers, furniture stores, clothes stores and antique shops.

Here are five of the best.

All American Vintage

Situated in Leeds’ renowned Corn Exchange, All American Vintage is a vintage store with a bit of a twist. All clothes, bags, shoes and accessories are sourced directly from New York including pieces from 1940’s – 80’s. Leeds is home to a growing number of vintage and vintage re-production stores, however this one is definitely the most unique.

The ‘second-hand / recycling ethic’ amongst environmentally friendly shoppers is on the rise, as is interest in vintage fashion in general. Anyone can buy vintage re-production pieces from high street brands, but why not opt for something more unique, whilst also saving pennies and the planet?

An absolute must for bargain hunters and vintage enthusiasts alike.

Crash Records

Crash Records was established in 1985 in a tiny shop on Woodhouse Lane, and since moving to The Headrow in ’87, has played a fundamental role in establishing the local Leeds music scene. Spread out across two floors, the store is small, but boasts a broad variety of CDs, vinyl, cassettes, DVDs and merchandise.

The range of Rock/Indie and Punk/Hardcore on the ground floor is more than impressive and includes a handful of rare/limited edition vinyl. Crash Records caters for almost any music fan and is also a ticket agent for a number of venues across the UK. You can often catch well known acts performing in-store.

Radish

Radish is a unique and independent bookshop stocking music, films, art and fair trade clothes. Its three rooms house a whole range of cool and unusual items such as recycled gifts, eco-friendly furniture and handmade cards.

Book-wise, regardless of their size and affiliation with any larger bookshop, Radish stocks a vast and varied range of literature and reading materials, with emphasis on books detailing green issues, politics, cookery and gardening as well as devoting a large section of their shelves to children’s and young adults. A refreshing and unique book-buying experience in a fair trade and eco-friendly environment.

Travelling Man

The self-declared ‘comic book geeks’ at Travelling Man are on a mission to get everyone in the world to love at least one comic book. With such an excellent range of graphic novels and comic books, they make it hard to pick just one. Selling all types of graphic novel which dabble in issues ranging from religion to politics. Travelling Man really stands out as a unique comic book retailer.

They also sell playing cards, figurines and collectables, merchandise and clothing. Perfect for hardcore comic books fans, or anyone interested in a little bit of light reading. Keep an eye out for in-store for singings from various well known characters and artists.

Mki Miyuki – Zoku

Hailed as the ‘newest, freshest and most exciting addition to the Leeds fashion scene’, Mki Miyuki – Zoku is a concept store based on a group of Japanese youths who were the first to adopt and adapt the ‘Ivy League look’ in 60’s Japan. Mki stock simple, but high quality clothes from a number of up and coming and underground clothing brands. Their apparel is unique and eye-catching. Based on the look of a more underground social movement, Mki is now setting the trend in street fashion.

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This guide was syndicated from My Life in Leeds where you will find more Leeds Travel Guides like this.

Independent shops for Leeds shoppers

Not only is Leeds home to one of Europe’s largest indoor markets, but in the environs of Leeds you will also find some very pretty market towns that hold regular indoor and outdoor markets, where you can shop for a bargain and stock up your veg rack.

Leeds Kirkgate market

Housed in a beautiful domed Edwardian building on Vicar Lane, and extending all the way back to the bus station, Leeds Kirkgate Market has over 400 stalls selling everything from fine foods to flowers, haberdashery to electrical goods, along with a good selection of little cafes and eateries.

You can buy a profusion of goods here that includes toy walking elephants, delicious cream cakes, furry textiles, Caribbean vegetables and carnivores will be glad to see that there is even an entire row of butchers, all competing with each other to offer you a good bargain.

There is a traditional outdoor market too, with stacks of fresh fruit and vegetables, electrical goods, army surplus gear, and budget clothing. At the outdoor market you’ll find lovely vintage clothing on Mondays, and an interesting flea market on Thursdays. Look out too for the farmers market selling fresh produce on the first and third Sundays of the month from 9.00 till 2.00.

Pudsey market

The attractive stone built market town of Pudsey was listed in the Domesday book, and its traditional market place is still thriving with a lively open market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Here you’ll find fruit, veg, flowers, household goods, clothes, arts and crafts, and other items at reasonable prices. Watch out too for the farmers’ market on the last Thursday of every month from 9.00 till 2.00pm.

Morley market

Morley Market is known for being good for food, and also has a cafe where you can draw breath over a coffee and a sandwich in between doing the shopping. The market is in the centre of Morley and has two sections, with the original market hall and its new extension. In the old market hall you can buy fine foods including fish, meat, fruit, vegetables and deli items.

In the new hall you will find textiles, electricals, tanning and piercing salons, nail bars, and other interesting stalls and shops. The market also has a generous number of delis and bakeries, so you won’t be short of something to snack on as you wander around.

Otley market

On the serene River Wharfe and close to the green countryside, the pretty market town of Otley is renowned for its number of pubs and (amazingly) its number of troupes of Morris dancers. There are claims that Otley Market has been on the go for some thousand years, and the market even received a mention in the BBC’s League of Gentlemen.

The market is to be found, not surprisingly, on the Market Square, with a small market on Tuesdays, and then a larger one on Fridays and Saturdays that spills over into the adjacent streets with almost 100 stalls. You’ll find all the traditional market foodstuffs and household goods here, as well as a more modern twist with stalls selling clothing, jewelry, essential oils, and even Mediterranean produce. There is also a farmer’s market on the last Sunday of each month, 9.00am till 1.00pm.

Yeadon market

The charming old mill town of Yeadon, has a market in the Town Hall Square every Friday, 9.00am till 4.00pm. Here you’ll find fruit, vegetables, and other foods, as well as clothes, tools, books, plants, flowers and household goods. And if you need a break from all this shopping, Yeadon is home to The Oldest Fish and Chip Shop in the World, where you can grab a cod and chips to eat al fresco.

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Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

This guide was syndicated from My Life in Leeds where you will find more Leeds Travel Guides like this.

Shop local at Leeds Markets

The twinkling lights and dizzy excitement of Christmas seems a long way off in the dreary iciness of January’s grip doesn’t it? You’ve probably got a bit of Christmas money burning a hole in your too tight post-Christmas binge trousers but, as is always the way, the shops are merely flogging summer’s flimsy knits and things you didn’t want full price.

Not surprisingly, you may not be too tempted to part with your cash. However, there are many places in Leeds crammed full of inexpensive, locally made goodies that may prise those notes from your clammy grip and not give you that post-splurge guilt.

Artsmix market

The Artsmix markets, a locally grown not for profit organisation supporting local artists, are filled to bursting with local talent. Free entry, the markets are the perfect place to stock up on reasonably priced, quality, handmade Yorkshire goodies and they’re usually held at the Loft in Leeds city centre. However, you can also catch them at outdoors events at Brewery Wharf and the Royal Armouries and further afield across west Yorkshire too. Check out their website for upcoming events.

Farmer’s markets

If food is more likely to make you part with your money, stroll across to Kirkgate Market’s special farmer’s market. Held on the first and third Sunday of every month between 9-2pm, it’s any food lover’s dream with plenty of tastings on offer – meaning you can enjoy the experience even if you don’t splash any cash.

The Affordable Vintage Fair

These ever-so popular vintage fairs certainly live up to their name. An unique shopping experience, they frequently have live music performers, evoking the musical spirit of time gone by which provides a fantastic backdrop to browsing the groaning clothes rails.

A tiny entrance fee (usually a £1) grants you access to hundreds of stalls selling everything from vintage jewellery to wedding dresses. It’s worth the entrance fee to visit the frankly marvellous Marvellous Tea Dance Company which provides kitsch catering, cupcakes and cuppas in authentic vintage garb.

The Corn Exchange

Although unfortunately not quite the buzzing mecca for independent shops that it once was, the Corn Exchange has attracted back some of Leeds’ finest fashion folk. Inside what is surely one of Leeds’ most recognisable features (which is worthy of more than just a cursory glance) you’ll still find three independent designers championing their wares, providing you with the opportunity to snap up an one of a kind design.

Ultimately, Leeds is well known for its places to shop. You can waste many a hour browsing the shiny shops of the Victoria Quarter or get lost in the maze of stalls in Kirkgate Market. And, of course, if you just window shop, you can do it all without spending a penny too.

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This guide was syndicated from My Life in Leeds where you will find more Leeds Travel Guides like this.

Shopping on the cheap in Leeds

Despite its great selection of big name shops, Leeds has its fair share of independent traders too, and it’s often at the small places that you find something innovative and different. So I decided that it was time to have a chat with some of the people behind the varied independent shops of Leeds.

Millies Fresh and Organic

Millies is the place for fresh and organic foods, with locally sourced meat, fair trade coffees and teas, a deli, sports supplements, and even therapy rooms!

I spoke to Geoff Millington of Millies, who told me, “About eight years ago we took over Claphams, which had traded in Leeds since 1857-ish. They still dispensed herbs from antique drawers within the shop. We took it over and modernised it, but still retaining the herbs.”

“Our ethos is to care for the environment. We care about our customers and want them to be able to purchase environmentally friendly products of all kinds under one roof, where possible giving best value for money.”

Org Organics

Continuing the organic theme, tucked away on Great George Street you’ll find the delightful little shop Org Organics, with its own cosy little cafe too. I spoke to Wai-Yii, one of the founders.

Wai-Yii explains, “We had a passion about healthy food, getting a connection to artisan and local suppliers, and making this accessible to everyone. We sell natural, organic food. Usually from a small artisan producer, people who are equally passionate about their thing , from herbs and spices to hemp ice cream!

Jumbo Records

Turning now to music, this shop started life as Jumbo Mobile Disco, becoming the record shop known as Jumbo Records in 1971. I asked Adam at Jumbo if they specialise in any particular type of music? “Not really… We do music across the board but try and dig below the surface of most genres: indie, pop, electronica, rock, dance, blues, jazz, country, reggae, soul, folk, world, etc.

So I suppose we try to be pretty diverse but have a lot of specialist knowledge.”

OK Comics

Love comics? On Thornton’s Arcade you’ll find a little comic haven where there is plenty to browse. OK Comics was started by Jared who realised that his comic business needed something larger than his Mum’s dining room. I asked Jared which comics prove the most popular:

“Superhero/action adventure comics are still our most popular genre, but we also have great success with horror, soap opera, crime noir, stuff like that. Our most popular individual series are things that already come with a built in fan base, like Buffy, Umbrella Academy or Call of Duty.”

Mr Chimp

If you like clothing that is definitely not high street then take a look at independent menswear boutique Mr Chimp, which has developed a solid ethos of bringing new labels to the fashion conscious of Leeds. I had a chat with Mr Chimp director Rich Elsby, and asked him how they came up with that unique name.

“The name is based on my love of the original Planet of the Apes films.” Well of course. Rich describes the clothing he sells as, “clothing for the one percent, as we are the opposite of mainstream. I hate anything mainstream and it just seems that there are too many sheep in Leeds these days, so yeah, we cater for the wolves!”

So there we have it. From lovely to lupine, lyrical to lively, there are plenty of new entrepreneurs out there in Leeds who are eager to bring something new to the world of retail.

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This guide was syndicated from My Life in Leeds where you will find more Leeds Travel Guides like this.

The independent spirit in Leeds shops

Come buckets of rain or sweltering shine, you can’t go wrong if you’re shopping in Leeds, because there’s an abundance of places to shop indoors, from the spacious modern elegance of The Light, to the quaint and beautiful Victorian arcades. There are numerous shopping centres such as the St Johns Centre, the Headrow Centre, and the Merrion Centre, and also the fascinating indoor market.

Knightsbridge of the North

The corner of Briggate and the Headrow is a good place to start. Here you have the wonderful Japanese shop MUJI, with its wide range of household goods, stationery and clothing that all share a clean minimalism, with an emphasis on recycling and green values. At the top of Briggate you also have Envy, with its range of branded clothing, and opposite is Schuh for cool branded shoes ranging from impossibly-high heels, through to skate shoes and Docs. Just off Briggate is the grandeur of the Victoria Quarter with its mosaic floors, fabulous shop fronts, bubbling fountains and chic indoor pavement cafes.

Relax and shop in the Victoria Quarter

If Vivienne Westwood tickles your fancy then you’ll find a branch here, as well as plenty of other shops specialising in haute couture and fine accessories, high class chocolatiers and top name brands, all in the most beautiful surroundings. You don’t need to go all the way to Knightsbridge to find Harvey Nichols, because it’s right here on Briggate next to the Victoria Quarter, and this branch has the accolade of being the first Harvey Nicks to open outside London.

Take a look at the five fabulous floors of clothing, food and wine, perfumes and jewellery, with a cafe at the very top from where you can look out over the Leeds skyline while you tuck into seared salmon and spinach.

On Briggate further down you have M&S, with a food hall that goes on forever, and several floors of clothing and household goods, including a huge lingerie department with row upon delightful row of pastels, lace, polka dots and stripes. Marks and Spencer actually started as a single market stall in Leeds, which is marked with a green and gold clock in Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Big brands in the high street

In Leeds you’ll find all the other retail staples such as Body Shop, TK Maxx, Burtons, Kookai, Currys, Principles, Debenhams, Gap, House of Fraser, Topshop, Next, Dorothy Perkins, Laura Ashley, River Island, WHSmith, HMV and many more big names, as well as shops that are unique to Leeds. For example, if looking round proper posh kitchen stuff is your thing, then feast your eyes at Peter Maturi on Vicar Lane, where you will find all things cuisine from ice cream makers to silicone gizmos that help you to poach that perfect egg.

Shop and socialise in the Light

But let’s move on to The Light, which you’ll find just off the Headrow – now, calling this place a shopping centre is like calling the QE2 a boat. With with its marble flooring, its elevated walkways, its high ceilings and air of serenity, The Light never ever feels crowded. Here you will find up-to-the-minute shops, such as Joy, with its edgy clothing, Exit and its eclectic streetwear, the casual chic of Superdry.

Ark with its branded fashion, self-confessed purveyors of sixties cool Lambretta, and loads more very noughties stores. In The Light there are plenty of places to eat outdoors indoors, if you see what I mean, and particularly recommended is Cafe Rouge for its wines, continental beers, and French inspired menu, including steak frites and confit de canard.

Europe’s largest market

Finally, don’t forget Leeds Kirkgate Market, the largest covered market in Europe with over 800 stalls, housed in a Grade I listed building, which is just a stone’s throw from the Victoria Quarter. Here you’ll find florists, haberdashery, toys, household goods, clothes, a huge variety of textiles, and all different kinds of food from fresh meat to Caribbean vegetables. Next to it is the outdoor market, where you can get fruit and veg, clothes, and second hand stuff from antique cutlery to old photos and magazines.

So whether you are just after a bit of window shopping, or in need of some heavy duty retail therapy, you’ll find it in Leeds.

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This guide was syndicated from My Life in Leeds where you will find more Leeds Travel Guides like this.

Shopping in Leeds Guide