Historical Shopping Venues Tour (Self Guided), Leeds
Leeds is a shopaholic’s paradise and a true world of retail scaled down to the size of a downtown area. Compactly located within a walking distance from each other, the city's best boutiques are never far away from an eager shopper.
Here, the biggest brands and small independents are housed in some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Among them is the historic Kirkgate Market, the birthplace of Marks & Spencer. One of the largest covered markets in Europe, renowned for its unique atmosphere, it comprises over 400 stalls where you can buy pretty much everything, from textiles and loose leaf tea to fresh flowers and street food.
Those keen on designer garments will find their fix in the splendor of Victoria Leeds, incorporating the stunning Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate, the most vibrant destination at the heart of the Leeds shopping area. Apart from the Victorian Arcades, the city’s fierce independent spirit manifests itself also in the abundance of makers and creators found at the majestic Corn Exchange, a beautifully restored haven for independent shops and tempting tasty treats.
Other prominent shopping locations include Queen's Arcade – home to an array of Leeds' favorite boutiques, cool independent shops, and high-street names; Thornton’s Arcade – a historical block of shops built by Charles Thornton in 1873 and refurbished in 1993; and the Grand Arcade – one of the oldest shopping arcades in the city center, established since 1897.
If you are looking for some special gifts, cool and quirky finds, whilst in Leeds, take our self-guided walking tour to find all of these and more at the shopping venues featured herein.
Here, the biggest brands and small independents are housed in some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Among them is the historic Kirkgate Market, the birthplace of Marks & Spencer. One of the largest covered markets in Europe, renowned for its unique atmosphere, it comprises over 400 stalls where you can buy pretty much everything, from textiles and loose leaf tea to fresh flowers and street food.
Those keen on designer garments will find their fix in the splendor of Victoria Leeds, incorporating the stunning Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate, the most vibrant destination at the heart of the Leeds shopping area. Apart from the Victorian Arcades, the city’s fierce independent spirit manifests itself also in the abundance of makers and creators found at the majestic Corn Exchange, a beautifully restored haven for independent shops and tempting tasty treats.
Other prominent shopping locations include Queen's Arcade – home to an array of Leeds' favorite boutiques, cool independent shops, and high-street names; Thornton’s Arcade – a historical block of shops built by Charles Thornton in 1873 and refurbished in 1993; and the Grand Arcade – one of the oldest shopping arcades in the city center, established since 1897.
If you are looking for some special gifts, cool and quirky finds, whilst in Leeds, take our self-guided walking tour to find all of these and more at the shopping venues featured herein.
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Historical Shopping Venues Tour Map
Guide Name: Historical Shopping Venues Tour
Guide Location: England » Leeds (See other walking tours in Leeds)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Author: sabrina
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: England » Leeds (See other walking tours in Leeds)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Author: sabrina
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Leeds Corn Exchange
- Leeds Kirkgate Market
- Victoria Leeds Shopping Arcades
- Queen's Arcade
- Thornton’s Arcade
- Grand Arcade
1) Leeds Corn Exchange
The Corn Exchange was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, the architect from Hull, who also designed the Leeds Town hall, the Leeds City museum, the Headingley Congregational Church and many other buildings in Leeds. His inspiration for the circular, round-topped exchange was the Bourse de commerce of Paris by Francois-Joseph Belanger.
The exchange was completed in 1864. The building ceased to be an exchange in time. In the 1980s it was acquired by Specialty Shops plc. It was renovated and restored and converted to retail businesses.
The Exchange building houses about 30 independent retailers and food outlet shops. It is built on an oval plan with millstone grit and it has a grey slate dome with molded bands. There is a frieze, a dentilled cornice and a parapet with a clock. There are three arcade porches with Tuscan columns and two floors of arched windows.
The exchange was completed in 1864. The building ceased to be an exchange in time. In the 1980s it was acquired by Specialty Shops plc. It was renovated and restored and converted to retail businesses.
The Exchange building houses about 30 independent retailers and food outlet shops. It is built on an oval plan with millstone grit and it has a grey slate dome with molded bands. There is a frieze, a dentilled cornice and a parapet with a clock. There are three arcade porches with Tuscan columns and two floors of arched windows.
2) Leeds Kirkgate Market (must see)
Here is the big market to end all big markets. The Kirkgate Market on Vicar Lane and George Street is the largest covered market in all of Europe. It has about 170 traders selling a huge variety of goods and foods. There are exotic fruits and vegetables, a fish market and a meat sector, and bakeries. Flowers, clothing, and novelties can also be found here.
There is a Chinese supermarket, a Polish deli. Shawarmas, chapattis, crepes and real Yorkshire pudding can be had. There is a South Asian bazaar on Wednesdays with a range of South Asian foods, silk saris and Indian bracelets. The events space holds festivals, concerts and fashion shows. Some 800 stalls serve 100,000 customers a week.
The market building opened in 1904. There are several halls, all connected. The oldest is the 1875 hall, sandwiched in among the 1904 hall and the 1976 and 1981 halls. Butchers' Row, at the northern end, leads to the 1976 hall. Fish and game, at the southern end, leads to the 1981 hall.
The 1904 Hall is ornate. It has a glass roof and a balcony. It is a cast-iron structure decorated in a Flemish Art Nouveau style. The 1904 hall is the only part of the market to escape the ravages of the disastrous 1975 fire.
The 1976 Hall is a large open-plan hall with a latticed roof. The Outdoor Market is accessed from the 1976 and 1981 halls. There are three blocks of stalls including greengrocers, computers, clothing and electrical goods.
There is a Chinese supermarket, a Polish deli. Shawarmas, chapattis, crepes and real Yorkshire pudding can be had. There is a South Asian bazaar on Wednesdays with a range of South Asian foods, silk saris and Indian bracelets. The events space holds festivals, concerts and fashion shows. Some 800 stalls serve 100,000 customers a week.
The market building opened in 1904. There are several halls, all connected. The oldest is the 1875 hall, sandwiched in among the 1904 hall and the 1976 and 1981 halls. Butchers' Row, at the northern end, leads to the 1976 hall. Fish and game, at the southern end, leads to the 1981 hall.
The 1904 Hall is ornate. It has a glass roof and a balcony. It is a cast-iron structure decorated in a Flemish Art Nouveau style. The 1904 hall is the only part of the market to escape the ravages of the disastrous 1975 fire.
The 1976 Hall is a large open-plan hall with a latticed roof. The Outdoor Market is accessed from the 1976 and 1981 halls. There are three blocks of stalls including greengrocers, computers, clothing and electrical goods.
3) Victoria Leeds Shopping Arcades
Victoria Leeds Shopping Arcades consist of 80 stores and services over more than 1.1 million square feet. It is made up of the 2016 Victoria Gate development and the Victoria Quarter. The area includes a casino and three anchor stores. Along with shopping, Victoria Leeds is known for having the largest work of stained glass in Europe.
County Arcade and Cross Arcade were created from a design by theatre architect Frank Matcham in 1904. They fell into disrepair over the years, but were restored in 1996 by Derek Latham & Co. The stained glass canopy was designed by artist Brian Clarke. It was the largest public artwork in Britain when it was installed. It is made of mouthblown glass that is traditionally leaded and enamelled.
Victoria Leeds is Grade II listed. It was awarded the Leeds Award for Architecture and the Civic Trust Award in 1991. The shopping centre is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
County Arcade and Cross Arcade were created from a design by theatre architect Frank Matcham in 1904. They fell into disrepair over the years, but were restored in 1996 by Derek Latham & Co. The stained glass canopy was designed by artist Brian Clarke. It was the largest public artwork in Britain when it was installed. It is made of mouthblown glass that is traditionally leaded and enamelled.
Victoria Leeds is Grade II listed. It was awarded the Leeds Award for Architecture and the Civic Trust Award in 1991. The shopping centre is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
4) Queen's Arcade
Queen's Arcade is a boutique shopping center that is located in a pedestrianized area that is in the center of the city. It is a Victorian-style shopping arcade that was built in 1889. It is designated as Grade II listed.
Many of the boutiques at Queen's Arcade have been in place for more than three decades. Some of these include Accent, Levi Strauss, The North Face and Arkade Barbers. Queen's Arcade also has buy, sell and exchange spaces such as Designer Exchange and the Handbag Clinic.
Businesses other than shopping boutiques in Queen's Arcade include Cancer Research UK, Karma Arts Tattoo, Silver Lining Piercing and Picture the Print Printing & Embroidery. Those wanting to have a bite can stop by restaurants that offer pizza and baked goods.
The stores of Queen's Arcade open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Many of the boutiques at Queen's Arcade have been in place for more than three decades. Some of these include Accent, Levi Strauss, The North Face and Arkade Barbers. Queen's Arcade also has buy, sell and exchange spaces such as Designer Exchange and the Handbag Clinic.
Businesses other than shopping boutiques in Queen's Arcade include Cancer Research UK, Karma Arts Tattoo, Silver Lining Piercing and Picture the Print Printing & Embroidery. Those wanting to have a bite can stop by restaurants that offer pizza and baked goods.
The stores of Queen's Arcade open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
5) Thornton’s Arcade
Thornton's Arcade is the oldest covered shopping street in Leeds. It was the brainchild of Charles Thornton, owner of the Varieties Music Hall. He built the arcade in 1878 on the site of the demolished Old Talbot Inn, which dated to 1715.
Thornton's Arcade is three levels with a glass roof. The clock at the northern end of Thornton's Arcade was made by William Potts and Sons. It features four life-size figures of characters from Ivanhoe who strike the hours and the quarters. These figures were created by sculptor John Wormald Appleyard.
Entrances to Thornton's Arcade are on Lands Lane and Briggate. A prominent shop in Thornton's Arcade is OK Comics. It hosts regular events, competitions, signings and parties. Patrons will also find a coffee shop, salon, clothing stores, a bakery and a tattoo parlor.
The arcade also hosts an occasional night market that brings in local vendors who set up booths on the street in the evenings.
Thornton's Arcade is three levels with a glass roof. The clock at the northern end of Thornton's Arcade was made by William Potts and Sons. It features four life-size figures of characters from Ivanhoe who strike the hours and the quarters. These figures were created by sculptor John Wormald Appleyard.
Entrances to Thornton's Arcade are on Lands Lane and Briggate. A prominent shop in Thornton's Arcade is OK Comics. It hosts regular events, competitions, signings and parties. Patrons will also find a coffee shop, salon, clothing stores, a bakery and a tattoo parlor.
The arcade also hosts an occasional night market that brings in local vendors who set up booths on the street in the evenings.
6) Grand Arcade
The Grand Arcade is a shopping arcade on New Briggate. It was built by New Briggate Arcade Ltd. in 1897. Architects Smith & Tweedal designs the arcade using a Renaissance architectural style and a Modern, British Art Nouveau style.
The arcade was originally two parallel arcades between New Briggate and Vicar Lane. One of these arcades was converted into Tower Cinema in 1920.
The Grand Arcade offers unique boutiques that feature home goods, clothing and handmade items. There are a number of spaces that offer food, afternoon tea or coffee.
The Potts Clock at one end of the arcade was designed by Potts of Leeds. It features knights that strike the hour on their anvils and three revolving figures that bow during each hour. Beneath the clock is a quote stating, "Time waits for no man."
The Grand Arcade is a Grade II listed building.
The arcade was originally two parallel arcades between New Briggate and Vicar Lane. One of these arcades was converted into Tower Cinema in 1920.
The Grand Arcade offers unique boutiques that feature home goods, clothing and handmade items. There are a number of spaces that offer food, afternoon tea or coffee.
The Potts Clock at one end of the arcade was designed by Potts of Leeds. It features knights that strike the hour on their anvils and three revolving figures that bow during each hour. Beneath the clock is a quote stating, "Time waits for no man."
The Grand Arcade is a Grade II listed building.
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