Leeds' status as a shopping mecca was confirmed when the prestigious Harvey Nichols opened its first northern branch in this elegant location. Harvey Nichols' four floors are truly "Ab Fab", with international designer wear for men and women, cosmetics, perfume and footwear. The food market and wine shop are perfect if you want to throw a dinner party that will dazzle. After all this retail therapy you may be in need of refreshment. Why not relax in the Espresso Bar@Harvey Nichols a pavement cafe, admiring the Victoria Quarter's award-winning stained glass roof or sample at the Fourth Floor restaurant and bar.
Those with a taste for haute couture will find no better place to spend a few hours than the elegant Victoria Quarter. Home to some of the biggest names in fashion, including Vivienne Westwood and Karen Millen), the Victoria Quarter has become one of Leeds' main shopping attractions. If you can tear your eyes away from the colorful window displays, take a glance at the ceiling, which features the largest stained-glass window in the country. After a day of shopping, recharge your batteries in one of the Quarter's excellent cafes. It is open all seven days a week.
Dating back to 1875, the Leeds Kirkgate Marketis one of the oldest operational indoor markets in Leeds, and the largest in Europe. Trade in Leeds during the early later 19th Century flourished with the opening of the Leeds Kirkgate Market. A total of 800 stalls operate under one roof here. From eatables to clothing, jewelry and accessories, to even electronics, flowers and books, the stalls here stock them all. It was here where the first Marks & Spencer outlet was established. The market has become has integral part of Leeds' history.
Built-in 1863 by Cuthbert Brodrick, Leeds Corn Exchange is one of the finest and beautiful examples of the Victorian style of architecture. Built-in a circular shape the building is as beautiful inside as it is on the outside. It is now one of the prominent shopping centers of the city, you can find small shops with gift cards, vintage artifacts, items of clothing and a large variety of food to choose from.
Debenhams is one of the biggest department stores in the city center. In a bid to appeal to the more upmarket customer, the shop offers designer labels, such as Jasper Conran, alongside high street names. The store sells a broad range of goods, from accessories and fragrances to footwear and home furnishings. The Café Venue on the ground floor serves hot drinks and snacks, while the fourth-floor Night and Day Cafe serves a more substantial range. Those looking for style at a reasonable price are sure to love this store.
This is the most famous street in York and the only one to be listed in the Domesday book. It's quaint and very picturesque with its narrow cobbled streets known as "Snickelways" and the timbered shops leaning so close they nearly touch each other. The street probably gets its name from the low wide shelves called 'shammels' on which the butchers displayed their meat. Now it's a street of souvenir and coffee shops.
This shop boasts a superb collection of bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses for sizes 6 to 30. There is lots to choose from, with something to suit all pockets. Prices start at around GBP100 and go up to GBP2000. If you'd prefer to have a dress that's a bit more individual, you can always take advantage of the shop's dress design service. As well as dresses, Angel Brides has an excellent collection of accessories; including jewelery, shoes, gloves and tiaras.
Warehouse is a very fashionable shop aimed at older girls and young women. There is a marvelous selection of brightly colored stylish clothes, including dresses, skirts, t-shirts and trousers, some are even decorated with sequins. Fabrics such as satin are used to create stunning evening wear. All the clothes are very pretty, very feminine and great fun. Warehouse also sells accessories such as bags and necklaces. They are more than happy to refund or exchange items if you have a receipt.
Established in 1948, E.J. Freeborn & Son sell gifts and furniture using a variety of wood. Large items such as tables are made to personal specification, and also offered is a complete renovation service. Gifts include droughts and chess sets, picture frames, recorders and bowls. Trinket boxes in red and green are particularly pretty and more unusual items such as sculptures of pears, dolphins and mushrooms complete the range. A good range of wood treatment is also available, as is a selection of period brass fittings.
Located down one of York's oldest and most popular streets, this is an outdoor gear store with an eye for fashion. The store has a particularly attractive selection of footwear, which includes everything from sandals to boots, and the prices are fairly reasonable. The range of shirts and shorts will suit anyone who is an outdoors fan. You can also find stock camping accessories such as bags and mugs.
In business since 1976, the Japanese Print Gallery specializes in Japanese woodblock prints. However, where most similar galleries feature 17th- and 18th-century work, the Japanese Print Gallery goes for later periods, from 1868 onward. There's a strong selection, mostly prints, but also some artwork. There are also a fine number of Russian paintings, which have been a feature since 1990. It's a small place with just a single room; but packs in a lot with reasonable prices, and proprietor Percy Barkes is an acknowledged expert in his fields, more than happy to chat and answer questions. It's an eye-opening experience of the Sino-Japanese worldview.
A family-run shop that was established in 1993, Lucius Books specializes in modern first editions, especially for crime fiction and children's literature, but covers the entire gamut, including poetry and military history. Lucius Books is actually more than books, though, also offering original artwork for sale, mostly book-related, and there's also a strong selection of music memorabilia, including rare and collectible vinyl, as well as posters in all genres. The bookshop aims squarely at the collector market, rather than the general buyer, and the prices reflect that. With a strong online presence to back up the shop, visitors can return to purchase even after they've left York.