Retail in Leeds City Centre

[Leeds No.1]

I don't think Leeds was high up becuase it had smaller shops- I would say that other cities have overtaken it because of retail investment. Leeds has had little retail investment in comparison to nearly all the regional cities. I don't think its a problem if theres little independent shopping in the centre; and really, there is when you look. Leeds does alot better here than most cities. Forcing independent shops out of the core means that a rich core can be developed, and the city centre can expand. The CornX, Kirkgate Market, Kirkgate, Lower Briggate, Boar Lane, Granary Wharf, Vicar Lane and New Briggate all support smaller stores.

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by Stig282

Because the scruffy buggers make it "down-at-heel" with their tab-ends, chip papers and general scruffiness.

Sorry Stig - that's not good enough. Happened to go to Huddersfield today (as an old codger it only cost me 70p on the train). There the market, which serves a similar customer base as Leeds, was really spick and span and warm. It was a pleasure to shop in it - and not one empty stall ! But that's not all. There is a second market there about half a mile away called the Open Market. That is a misnomer as most of it is under cover and being restored by Kirklees Council. This was also better than Leeds. I blame Leeds City Council.

[Molly]

Originally Posted by Fred2

Sorry Stig - that's not good enough. Happened to go to Huddersfield today (as an old codger it only cost me 70p on the train). There the market, which serves a similar customer base as Leeds, was really spick and span and warm. It was a pleasure to shop in it - and not one empty stall ! But that's not all. There is a second market there about half a mile away called the Open Market. That is a misnomer as most of it is under cover and being restored by Kirklees Council. This was also better than Leeds. I blame Leeds City Council.

oh that reminds me...the market at Newcastle too it very nice.


...but York... lol! Have yiou been there. I giuess growing up there I am very eternally impressed with Leeds Market..it has a roof! ..a very wonderful idea! But I genuinely find Leeds market superb...not sure what the problem is.

Oh Bradford too... great markets... wonderful atmosphere.... great food too!

[Fred2]

Originally Posted by Molly

oh that reminds me...the market at Newcastle too it very nice.


...but York... lol! Have yiou been there. I giuess growing up there I am very eternally impressed with Leeds Market..it has a roof! ..a very wonderful idea! But I genuinely find Leeds market superb...not sure what the problem is.

Oh Bradford too... great markets... wonderful atmosphere.... great food too!

Well, Molly, try Huddersfield. Leeds market has a sad air about it nowadays with so many empty stalls.

[Val Verde]

Originally Posted by Fred2

Well, Molly, try Huddersfield. Leeds market has a sad air about it nowadays with so many empty stalls.

Is a possible reason why Kirkgate market is in decline (although I don't go there personally agree its a major asset to the city) is because of LCC rising rent to stupidly high levels as I believe I once read in the YEP about that or is there another reason why this is the case? Perhaps they should try to revive it by having more world foods and independent fashions and aiming the market more at the student population to revive it? Also is it me or does the market really look like Harrods for any particular reason?





Also they should really make an effort to encourage more electrical and home stores into the city centre as these are lacking and could be an area where Leeds could expand on in my opinion. Also agree with Leeds The Best that Leeds should have a Selfridges but why not have something more unique to Leeds perhaps maybe have someone reinvent one of the old brands which used to be in Leeds such as Lewis's or Schofields and made relevant for a modern day audience perhaps?

[Fred2]

I go in the market quite a lot - between the bus station and town - but it is getting more depressing by the day. If there are a large and increasing number of empty stalls because of inflated rents we can only blame the City Council. They own the place, I believe, and have not put enough money in it to make it attractive. It might look like Harrods but I bet it doesn't make as much profit !

[LeedsLad]

Am I right in thinking a) there's plans afoot to redo the 'new' bit of the market and b) Eastgate/Harewood will allow movement between the market and the new shops...

[Leeds No.1]

Yes there are plans; plans to rebuild the temporary market halls that seem to have become permanent. I know what you mean; it doesnt have the same buzz it used to; Leeds' shopping scene has changed to a higher class scene. However, the market will make a come back! Particularly as Harewood/Eastgate and Quarry Hill are completed- it will then become part of the city centre rather than on the edge of it.

[Stefan88]

I think Leeds has a good compact shopping area. It's easy to find the shop you want as all the streets kind of become interlocked together by the arcades etc. I do think Nottingham (where im from but live in leeds now as im at uni) has a better shopping scene. This is because there are smaller, privately owned shops offering an individual choice rather than the commercial stuff that most shops offer. Also Nottingham's shopping streets are more spread out than Leeds' with 2 major shopping centres and and large shopping streets like the one in Leeds' with Harvey Nichols on it. I think Leeds could do with an iconic shopping centre in the city which will make it more recognisable as a shopping destination. After all there are plenty of people in surrounding areas to go and spend money there its just finding space in the city centre for somewhere to put it. I think the Merrion Centre should be refurbished and the shops inside improved. (thats the only place i can really think of)

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by stef17

I do think Nottingham (where im from but live in leeds now as im at uni) has a better shopping scene.

Ok, but Nottingham doesn't have a Harvey Nicks or equivalent, or even a Borders, and the two shopping centres you refer to are pretty awful.
The last thing Leeds needs is a 'major shopping centre' like the Arndale or the Bullring. The Harewood Quarter is a much better concept.

[XEROX1]

Also they should really make an effort to encourage more electrical and home stores into the city centre as these are lacking and could be an area where Leeds could expand on in my opinion

We will be getting a John Lewis store mid 2010

'will be the principal anchor for the proposed Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development in Leeds City Centre'

http://www.johnlewis.com/Shops/DSTemplate.aspx?Id=288

[leeds the best]

Maybe a fenwicks in their and a selfridges for the eastgate centre.
not just for my personal response but for the rest of the city who do not go on these forums.
we already have a apple store.
maybe a panasonic shop.
a currys (which harrogate has)
mis sixty.

[Subliving]

Originally Posted by leeds the best

Maybe a fenwicks in their and a selfridges for the eastgate centre.
not just for my personal response but for the rest of the city who do not go on these forums.
we already have a apple store.
maybe a panasonic shop.
a currys (which harrogate has)
mis sixty.

Actually, we don't have an Apple Store. We have a KRCS store which sells Apple products. Their product knowledge is distinctly lacking to say the least. Isn't there a Currys on Briggate?

Subliving.

[XEROX1]

we already have a apple store

The apple/KRCS shop in Merrion Centre is a joke, i would love to see a mini version of the 5th Avenue, NY, Apple store in Leeds.



Also i would like to see more boutiques in Leeds, with the like of Armani and Canali etc.., it would compliment the other stores like Vuitton and VQ.

[Subliving]

Originally Posted by XEROX1

The apple/KRCS shop in Merrion Centre is a joke, i would love to see a mini version of the 5th Avenue, NY, Apple store in Leeds.

Also i would like to see more boutiques in Leeds, with the like of Armani and Canali etc.., it would compliment the other stores like Vuitton and VQ.

I could see Apple opening in somewhere like the VQ if they were allowed to do so. It'd look great in the spot where Reiss is situated, actually. But that would mean moving Reiss, which is not a good plan. When I worked in there, I know that the management were keen to get rid of many of the smaller companies and were trying to attract more international names, such as Louis Vuitton, with which they succeeded. I'm sure that given a few years they will be looking to attract brands tuch as Armani and possibly Prada. There was always talk of a Prada boutique opening up when I was in there.

There was also always talk of both the Queen's Arcade and the Thornton's (?) Arcade being refurbished to the standard of County Arcade. I don't know if this is likely, but you never know. And can you imagine the cache that end of Briggate would have if it was all of that quality! However, I guess a lot of what will happen in the future depends on what will eventually go into the old Lewis' building. If they're high quality stores, then redevelopment would surely follow. If it turns out to be another JJB and Virgin, then that end of town is screwed.

Subliving.

[leeds the best]

yes thats a great idea for vq.
i meant comet sorry.
fenwicks
armarni would be great it would be a mini paris in leeds then we would beat manchester.
with selfrideges and john lewis and the new trinity quater it will be great.
anyones i havent mentioned ?.

[Subliving]

Originally Posted by leeds the best

yes thats a great idea for vq.
i meant comet sorry.
fenwicks
armarni would be great it would be a mini paris in leeds then we would beat manchester.
with selfrideges and john lewis and the new trinity quater it will be great.
anyones i havent mentioned ?.

If you're looking for a mini-Paris, then there's many that we need to catch up on.

Prada
Armani
L'Occitane en Province
Chanel
Shu Uemura
Christian Dior
Cartier
Mango (!!!)
Steinway Gallery
Boesendorfer Studio
Fazioli Hall

They're just a few of the things I can think of from London that I visit on maybe a monthly basis, that have no presence in Leeds that I know of.

Subliving.

p.s. If anyone can find me Shu Uemura somewhere in Leeds, a free air guitar will be dispatched immediately as thanks.

[leeds the best]

but we do have a louis vitton shop now.
also the new bose shop is good.
maybe a pull and bear.

[Subliving]

We do have Louis Vuitton. And I would say that's really something to celebrate. I mean, yes Manchester had Louis before Leeds, however our Louis Vuitton boutique is stand-alone, whereas the one in Manchester is a part of Harvey Nichols.

However, it's going to take a lot of places of the same class to bring Leeds up a few levels. I think we should currently concentrate on consolidating the stage we're at now (i.e. bringing stores on the level of Mango and L'Occitane) rather than chasing something unattainable in the present (Prada and Chanel).

Subliving.

[Leeds No.1]

Its a case of taking it step by step. Theres only select parts of Leeds where a designer store such as Prada locate; The VQ and The Light & the immediate surrounding area. I think the Queens arcade is quite nice; If the Thorntons arcade was brought up to VQ standard; along with The Grand and New Briggate, that could be a possible area for high class stores. But improving the current shopping scene would be good. To get high quality high-street standard (Covent Garden type shops) would take the city to the next level, where it can then progress onto attracting designer names on the level of Prada.

An Apple store of that style would suit Leeds very well. But where would it go!? Corn Xchange Circa? Where all the bus stops are maybe. Or in the Eastgate/Harewood Qtr