Staying within your budget in Leeds is easy if you know where to look…

We all like to save a few pennies, especially in Yorkshire – and it’s only too easy to believe that means sticking to the high street. But actually, you can find a bargain or two in the city’s independent stores. From vintage pieces to home furnishings, we’ve got seven great Leeds stores where you can stay well within budget.

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses, 30 Merrion Centre, LS2 8NG.

Spice Corner

Spice Corner

Spice Corner, 21 Row E, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7LG.

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor, 10 Central Road, LS1 6DE.

Yoyo

Yoyo

Yoyo, 76 Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, LS1 5AT.
Leeds List

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

Inside Out

Inside Out

Inside Out, 17B St. John’s Centre, LS2 8LQ.

Summerhouse

SummerHouse

Summerhouse, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

The post 7 Stores for Budget Shoppers appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Why Study in Leeds?

So you’re a prospective  student looking for the perfect city? The main things to consider should be the nightlife, the activities, the events on offer and the accessibility of the city. With Leeds, you get a thriving city, offering everything you need and loads more. From student hubs to cultural hotspots, from easy-to-use transport services to huge nightclubs – Leeds is the city that you’re searching for.

Leeds City Centre

We understand that the nights out are an important part of student life and Leeds offers every type of night out. Headingley, the student capital of Leeds, boasts a fantastic selection of modern bars and pubs while the City Centre offers just about everything you could want for a big night out. With a range of lively nightclubs, fantastic drinking and dining destinations and just about everything in-between at budget prices. Aside from being a fantastic night out, Leeds City Centre is a world-class shopping destination with high street shops, such as Harvey Nichols, and glamorous shopping malls, such as the Trinity Leeds and The Merrion Centre to mention a few. It’s worth noting that most shops, bars and restaurants will offer suitable student discounts too!

The Student Lock in at Trinity Leeds!

Leeds is a passionate sporting city with popular football, cricket and rugby teams. As a result of this, there are chances to watch lots of sport! However, more importantly, there are opportunities to play sport! With hundreds of amateur football, cricket and rugby sides, a wide variety of surprisingly affordable gyms to join and several sport centres just waiting for you to use them, it is easy for you to stay active while at university. You can see other ways here.

Don’t worry, though. Leeds isn’t just a good night out, a bit of sport and a nice day shopping. It’s a fabulous city of culture with dozens of places to visit including museums, galleries and theatres  – plenty free of charge! The Leeds Art Gallery showcases stunning collections and constantly changing exhibitions while the Royal Armouries Museum is Britain’s national museum of arms and armour! You can see more cultural attractions here and you can see what’s on at the theatre through December here.

With this much going on in Leeds, you’d expect it to be hard to get to each of them. The truth couldn’t be any further away! With buses, trains and various taxi services available all year round, it is easy to get from A to B at affordable prices. Plus most of the action is in the City Centre which is only a ten minute walk from the main universities!

You can find much more about Leeds on this website.

Why Live in Leeds?

Leeds is also a great place for students to live as the city has some fantastic properties available for students.You can find more details on where to live on our property page.

Where to study in Leeds?

Leeds University –

Leeds University

Leeds University boasts a student population of 33,500 students and, as a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities, is considered one of the best universities in the country. The University is located near the centre, right in the heart of the city centre and  You can see their prospectus here or check out their website here.

Leeds Beckett University –

Leeds Beckett University

Formerly Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University offers fantastic facilities  and teaching for all courses. It is ranked as one of the top universities for any sports-related course and came second in The Times’ University of the Year competition in 2006. With over 25,000 students, the university is popular all over the country. You can check out their website here.

Leeds Trinity –

Leeds Trinity has nearly 3000 students and specialises in specific subjects such as media, journalism, marketing and education. The university offer a professional, relevant work placement with every degree and due to this, 93% of all students are in further education or in employment within 6 months of graduating. Leeds Trinity is also famous for it’s fantastic postgraduates courses in journalism and teacher training. You can check out their website here.

For higher/further education, there are some fantastic colleges and sixth forms such as:

Notre Dam: They offer over 34 A Level Subjects to study and are ranked in the top 10% of sixth form colleges in the country. You can see their website here.

Leeds City College: Leeds City College cater to over 40,000 students and operate out of six main campuses and have dozens of provisions over the region. You can check out their website here.

Leeds College of Art

Leeds Art College: The College of Art offer a range of courses which range from BAs to smaller qualifications. It’s a great opportunity to study in a close-knit community with a creative possibility. See their website here.

Leeds Music College: Leeds Music College also offer a range of short courses and BAs. With an acclaimed music scene and a vibrant student population, it is a great place to be for any young musician. See their website here.

Leeds College of Building: The Leeds College Of Building offers something for everyone with a range of course awarding various different certificates on a variety of topics. See their website here.

The post Why Leeds is the Right Choice appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Looking for designer shops in Leeds? Then you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve rounded up the best places to pick up those highly coveted labels.

If you’re looking to splash out, the designer stores of Leeds will only be too happy to oblige. So head into the city centre, where you’ll find everything from fashion to accessories, jewellery and homeware – or venture a little further afield to benefit from the slashed prices of the designer outlet.

The Victoria Quarter

As well as being one of the city’s finest landmarks with its beautiful Victorian shopfronts and colourful stained glass roof, which is the work of Brian Clarke and holds the record as the biggest of its kind in the UK, The Victoria Quarter boasts some of Leeds’ best designer stores.

Inside, you can browse the wares of some of the world’s finest designers, with Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton among them. But it’s not just fashion, you’ll find expert jewellers, high end homeware and luxury opticians too.

The Victoria Quarter, 4 Cross Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AZ.

Harvey Nichols

If you like all your designer labels, all in one place, you need only seek out Harvey Nichols’ Leeds store. You’ll find it on Briggate, the city’s busiest shopping street, and it’s absolutely filled with big names.

The Leeds shop is big, with five floors of designer goodness for you to explore. The ground floor holds accessories and beauty, while upstairs on the first and second floors, you’ll find yourself surrounded by high end ladies fashion from the likes of Victoria by Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth & James, Nicole Farhi and Gucci. Go up again to browse men’s labels from big names like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Hugo Boss. Finally, the top floor promises luxurious eats with their restaurant and food store.

Harvey Nichols, 107-111 Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AZ.

Flannels

Nestled on Vicar Lane, Flannels is in an up and coming area of Leeds, with the new Victoria Gate development rising behind it. And the two will be well matched, both offering a plethora of designers, all under one roof.

You’re looking at some really big names here. There’s Moschino, Kenzo, Alexander McQueen, Versace and Armani for the lads, and Cavalli, Max & Moi, Michael Kors and Gestuz for the ladies. With Michelin Starred restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain upstairs, ready for a post-shopping bite, you can have the ultimate luxury shopping experience.

Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7JH.

York Designer Outlet

Although you won’t find a designer outlet in Leeds, you can still get your hands on a host of cut-priced labels if you’re willing to take a jaunt over to York. Here you’ll find McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet, which boasts a massive array of designer labels, with the likes of Ted Baker, Lacoste, Levi’s and Michael Kors all in on the action.

And of course, the beauty of York Designer Outlet is that it’s all on sale for a fraction of the usual price. So even if you have to pay for petrol or train tickets, you’ll likely save more than you spend.

York Designer Outlet, St. Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 4TA.

The post Best Places to Buy Designer Labels In & Around Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

In the Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

Ben Holmes, Village Bookstore

What is it?

Established in 2012, this store specialises in independently published magazines, journals and books.

What do you do?

“We sell books. Or at least try to.”

Why Leeds?

“After university, there were a lot of people here giving things a go. There was more of an openness to trying new things. The traditional way can be to graduate and then move down to London to get a job, but in Leeds you have the freedom to try something and be different.”

What is the company’s style?

It is a style founded on wood, plants and books – it is very minimalist.

Leeds in three words is:

“Open, creative, independent.”

www.villagebookstore.co.uk

Brian Dickinson, Northern Monk Brewery

What is it?

Established back in 2013, this independent brewery has come a long way in such a short space of time.

What do you do?

“I brew beer, package it, clean, clean, write recipes, give brewery tours and talks, and clean.”

Why Leeds?

“As I lived in Huddersfield, I was bang in the middle of Leeds and Manchester, but for a good few years it was always better to go to Manchester for interesting beers and bars. But in the last two or three years, the bar scene in Leeds has grown and, as a result, more and more breweries have moved here. Suddenly Leeds had much more appeal and much more going on.”

Leeds in three words is:

“Hive of activity.”

www.northernmonkbrewco.com

Alex Galantini, La Bottega Milanese

What is it?

Established in 2009, La Bottega Mialnese is an Italien espresso bar.

What do you do?

“We provide a Milanese lifestyle through continental café culture.”

Why Leeds?

“I came here for a summer to learn the language and do something a little bit different. I was totally fascinated by the scene here, I loved Leeds straight away – the young vibrant life that was going around here was definitely appealing.”

What is the company’s style?

“Subtle elegance, classy and detailed”

Leeds in three words is:

“Innovative, happening, buzzing!”

www.labottegamilanese.co.uk

In the first part of its Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

You can watch a video on the project here.

Myke Greaves, King Koby’s Chop Shop

What is it?

A barbershop that, in their own words wants to ‘exist with purpose’.

What do you do?

“At King Koby I am a barber/stylist. I cut and style gents hair, I also trim, shape up and shave beards.”

Why Leeds?

“It’s just such an awesome city and it’s just going to grow and grow over the next few years – and I can’t wait to see what happens.”

Leeds in three words is: “It’s flipping awesome.”

www.kingkoby.com

Owen Brinley, Department M

What is it?

Established in 2012, Department M are a band.

What do you do?

“Our sound is impressionistic pop, I suppose – weird-dream hangover music. Sonically, a marriage of electronic experimentation and indie-rock.”

Why Leeds?

“There are other towns and cities in the UK but Leeds just has everything you need to be a musician. As opposed to somewhere like London, where I suppose it’s a nightmare to find affordable space to make music or art in, Leeds has that in spades.”

Leeds in three words is:

(After minutes of deliberation) “That’s too difficult”

www.facebook.com/departmentmband/

Chris Lambert, Tattooist, Snake and Tiger

What is it?

Established in 2015, the experienced tattooists pride themselves in their ability to adorn the highest-quality designs onto the skin of their loyal customers.

What do you do?

“I started tattooing 8 years ago. I initially did my apprentice at Ultimate Skin, I worked there for about 2 years. Finally I came back to Leeds to set up Snake and Tiger which is my tattoo shop in Thornton’s arcade.

Why Leeds?

My client basis at the end of the day, I think I have a really good client basis here with a lot of regulars. Business is good in Leeds for me anyhow. I like working with people from Leeds because I think that they know what they want, and they are willing to pay for quality, which is not what I have necessarily found at the other places I have worked. So the people of Leeds are good, and that’s what has brought me back.

How would you pitch the city to someone who is considering opening a business in Leeds?

There is a large turnover of students which means there are new people coming each year. That is one thing that I think has really helped Leeds’ economy. I think probably out of the major cities in the North, Leeds to me seems to be the one that is the most up and coming, compared to the other big three.

www.snakeandtiger.com/

The post Leeds Creatives on Tour appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Totally British in Style, Tweed, Manufacture and Attitude

– Get your legs out (even in opaque’s) –

Maude & Fox introduces two fabulous quintessentially British skirts; The Stripe Tweed Skirt and The Moonbeam Wrap Skirt. Perfect dressed down with wellies for Sunday afternoon walks in the countryside or teamed with opaques and block heel ankle boots for a spot of shopping in the city. Eye-catching skirts made from luxurious fabrics, hand-cut and made exclusively by one of the Maude & Fox team in rural Dorset.

The Stripe Tweed Skirt £145

Skirts – Stripe

This latest tweed skirt from Maude & Fox doesn’t fail to disappoint. Made of Scottish tweed with a quirky but smart stripe, this attention-grabbing skirt ticks all the boxes this winter. Easy to wear and cut down a little at the back to avoid revealing too much! Fabulous on its own or a real style statement partnered with the Fur Fly Maude & Fox red lined tweed jacket.

View the Stripe at http://www.maudeandfox.com/the-stripe-skirt.aspx

The Moonbeam Wrap Skirt £180

Moonbeam skirt

Another new addition to the Maude & Fox skirt collection this winter is the striking Moonbeam Wrap Skirt. Made of fabulously soft angora and lambswool, this skirt feels and looks sensational! Designed to fall above the knee, but not too short – the skirt looks beautiful worn with a crisp white shirt or is perfect with the Maude & Fox Cherilyn Moleskin and tweed Jacket or The Crusader Cape for a show stopping outfit

View the Moonbeam at http://www.maudeandfox.com/the-moonbeam-wrap-skirt.aspx

Sue Longmore, founder and head of creative comments: “The addition of the Moonbeam Wrap Skirt and the Stripe Tweed Skirt to our collection has proved very popular with our customers this season. The skirts are a real statement piece and they look wonderful dressed up or down; ideal for the countryside or the city. Must-have items this winter season and a perfect Christmas gift for someone special”

Maude & Fox sets itself apart from the crowd by being completely British in tweed, design and attitude.

Using British tweed all designs are hand-cut and made by the Maude & Fox team here in rural Dorset. With customers all over the country returning to Maude & Fox for new designs and custom amendments the brand is taking the fashion world by storm.

The post Step Out In Style – With Maude & Fox appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

CrossEyes expect your latest pair of glasses to be the best pair you’ve ever owned.

This means they will fit comfortably, your sight will be excellent and you will look amazing. If any of the above is not the case, they invite you to stop by the shop and they’ll have the opportunity to make everything work perfectly.

___________________

The CrossEyes concept is built on honesty, dedication and smart design. Through honest and hardworking employees, and low and transparent prices, CrossEyes is able to create an environment where you receive the right guidance when looking for quality spectacles. CrossEyes has hundreds of different custom made frames, which ensures that everyone can find glasses suitable for both their look and personality!

___________________

The post Introducing CrossEyes appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Daisy-Mae Fry is an art and design student and her art is being displayed at Bar Fibre in Leeds on the 13th February.

I’ve been studying art and design for 4 years, currently doing a HND course at Calderdale collage and my specialisms are fashion design and graphics. I love creating controversial and eye catching pieces! I think it’s important to create something personal to you and to the way you think and feel in that moment. I’ve always had a huge interest in fashion and my biggest influences are fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and photographer Terry Richardson, both two very controversial but extremely creative artists.

I didn’t really know what to do after studying, I knew I always wanted to do something in fashion, but after studying in 6th form for two years then going onto the foundation course at collage I wanted to take a break and travel. I went to Australia for 4 months and traveled up the east coast, which was an amazing experience, and a chance to be independent. When I decided to come home I wanted to continue studying. I was too late to apply for a university, but I was accepted on the art and design HND course at Calderdale.

I never really thought anything of my art work. To me it was just something I enjoyed doing for my own pleasure and to get the grades! I never thought I’d have an opportunity for it to be seen, but recently that all changed. On February the 13th, my work will be displayed in the penthouse at Bar Fibre, Leeds. It will be a 2 hour event from 6pm till 8pm and it will feature 3 collections of numbered and signed work with a variety of different themes. You will also get the chance to see my fashion collection worn by our models during the event. If you don’t get the opportunity to come to the event you can find the pieces on my Instagram account ‘miss_mae_96’ or you can find me on behance as ‘daisy mae fry’.

See her artwork below.

The post See a Leeds Student’s Art Displayed at Bar Fibre! appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Trinity Leeds is offering discounts from Victoria’s Secret, Armani Exchange, M&S and many more…

It’s coming, whether you like it or not!

Black Friday – that day where people scramble for the cut-price TV or super-discounted cocktail dress arrives this week.

The long tradition of the Boxing Day sales has been matched over the past few years with the emergence of Black Friday, which is a concept we’ve adopted from over the pond in America.

Always the Friday after Thanksgiving, the day is designed to offer shoppers the best pre-Christmas bargain in shops and online.

Some of the best deals will be found online, with some retailers starting their sales at midnight and putting on deals for the whole weekend.

And the region’s two biggest shopping centres are also getting in on the act, with stores opening earlier and until late to make sure bargain hunters can make the most of the discounts.

Take a look as we guide you through what Trinity Leeds will have to offer…

Victoria’s Secret
All 50 ml perfumes for £25

Victoria’s Secret
Spend over £75 and get a free tote bag

Victoria’s Secret
Buy one get one half price on bras

DKNY Men
30% discount

Bose
Go in store for amazing offers

Burton
Buy one suit get one for a £1

Burton
Jumpers and shirts for £15

Boots
Go in store for amazing offers across fragrance, electrical beauty, luxury beauty and much more!

Warehouse
Up to 30% off

New Look
Up to 50% off

Marks & Spencer
Up to 50% off

Topshop
Up to 50% off

H&M
Up to 25% off

River Island
Up to 50% off

Topman
Up to 50% off

Coast
Up to 40% off

Fossil
Scratch cards with discounts

A|X Armani Exchange
Up to 30% off

Replay
30% discount

Fraser Hart
Up to 50% off

Swarovski
30% discount

Phillip Stoner
50% off jewellery

Office
20% discount

Oasis
30% discount

360 Champagne & Cocktails
Free glass of Prosecco with purchase of another drink

Cielo Blanco
Half price sharing boards!

Giraffe
20% off food

Muffin Break
Buy a large drink get a free muffin

My Cookie Dough
40% discount

Giraffe
Half price drinks

Mamas & Papas
Up to 50% off

Muffin Break
20% discount

Holland and Barrett
Better than half price

The Perfume Shop
Up to 50% off

Love Aroma
10% Discount

The post Black Friday at Trinity Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Leeds’ arcades are awash with history, but they’re also chock full of amazing shops and eateries that you really need to try out.

Leeds’ shopping scene has been dominated by its fantastic and historic arcades for over a century now. And while many of them have been through hard times, they’re all beautiful examples of the past feeding through into the present. Even better, they offer shoppers a different kind of experience. So whether you’re after upmarket brands, high street favourites or independent genius, it’s time to explore the city’s arcades.

Queen’s Arcade

Built in 1889 by London arcade guru Edward Clark, Queen’s Arcade is perhaps the most daring of the original arcades. It was the only one that integrated a hotel into its design, alongside its retail offering, and while it’s no longer open, it separates Queen’s Arcade from the rest of the Leeds arcades, with a magnificent four storey frontage.

Inside it was subject to a bit of a makeover in the early 1990s, but you’ll still find yourself surrounded by old school character. It’s home to some hugely reputable brands such as denim legend Levi’s, London boutique Lipsy and shoe giants Office and Jones the Bootmaker, showing the quality stores these shopping arcades attract.

But it’s not all about the big names – the arcades take great pride in the city’s independents and Queen’s Arcade is no different. Accent Clothing has been dressing the men, women and children of Leeds for 30 years, while Aladdin’s Cave has some fantastic new and vintage jewellery, and Mary Shortle often delights and scares in equal measure with her doll shop.

Queen’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LF.

Thornton’s Arcade

As the first of the Leeds arcades, built in 1878, Thornton’s Arcade has plenty to crow about. Named after Charles Thornton, the fella who had the ingenious idea of covering up the shopping alleys that connected Briggate to its side streets. The three storey arcade is dressed up in impressive neo-gothic architecture, and also has a famous Potts’ Clock, the Ivanhoe Clock, which features characters from Robin Hood who all strike the quarters.

While time has passed, Thornton’s is still as impressive as any of the arcades you’ll come across and that’s large in part down to who they have in there. There are big names like Starbucks if you need a caffeine hit, Dune when shopping for some new shoes, and Ann Summers for those of you looking to wow your other half, but it’s also got a huge selection of Leeds’ independent favourites.

OK Comics is a fine example – it’s one of the most renowned comic book shops in the country, always willing to go the extra mile. There’s also Chimp, an uber-cool menswear store, Welcome Skate Store for new boards and threads and Bon Bons for when you need to sate that sweet tooth. Its latest addition is also well worth checking out – Tall Boys Beer Market offers up the finest craft beers from around the world, and you can even take them upstairs to their beer cafe for a small corkage if you can’t wait to try them out.

Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LQ.

Victoria Quarter

The most famous of all the Leeds arcades, Victoria Quarter was built in 1900 by Frank Matcham, the guy responsible for the London Palladium and Coliseum. With all those gilded mosaics, the bold marble and the fancy ironwork, it’s easy to see why it is so grand. It had however, fell into disrepair by the 1980s, and a painstaking renovation was carried out which brought it back to life with a stunning stained glass roof on Queen Victoria Street added.

Today, it’s perhaps the most exclusive of the shopping arcades in Leeds, with some huge names opening landmark stores along County Arcade, Cross Arcade and Queen Victoria Street. Alongside the wonderful Harvey Nichols, which replaced the old Empire Theatre in 1996, the likes of Reiss, Paul Smith, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, Mulberry, Michael Kors, and Radley have become huge pulls for the city’s shoppers.

And alongside over 70 luxury shops, the Victoria Quarter is home to some impressive dining options too. There’s a Bagel Nash, Opposite Cafe and YO Sushi to tuck into, while Filmore and Union spread along Queen Victoria Street with their impressive, healthy fare. Oh, and Harvey Nichols have both their Fourth Floor Cafe and Espresso Bar that make the arcades here, the most impressive in Leeds.

Victoria Quarter, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AX.

Grand Arcade

It’s been a rough ride for Grand Arcade. Opened in 1897, it was a fine example of Victorian architecture, with two extravagant buildings joined together down the middle, and an incredibly unique Potts Clock acting as the cherry on the cake. Fast forward 100 years, and it looked like it was going to be the latest of a number of arcades to have to close down.

Not anymore though, in the past five years Grand Arcade has found itself at the heart of a burgeoning Northern Quarter where some of the finest independents in Leeds are grouping together. The likes of Our Handmade Collective, Casa Colombiana and Traditional Shaving Company opened up in there when all seemed lost and helped to reinvigorate the arcades.

Alongside those three, heavy metal stalwarts Santiago Bar, retro brew makers Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom and veggie friendly favourites Roots and Fruits continue to bring folk in, the latter is an independent mainstay that has been serving up tasty fodder for over 25 years. Recent additions like Thai street food cafe Zaap and Asian fusion restaurant Bar Soba show that there’s plenty of life left in the arcades, and Grand Arcade is leading the way.

Grand Arcade, Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.

Central Arcade

A new arcade might seem a little odd in comparison, but Central Arcade, connecting Briggate and Central Road is exactly that, opening up in 2012 on the site of the what used to Market Street Arcade. And it’s a good job, because the old arcade had become run down, a shabby cousin of the other, more grander arcades in Leeds.

The £3 million transformation is a modern realisation of what shopping arcades can be, split over three floors and it’s tried to attract folk with a range of cool fashion brands. There’s Owen Scott, a bespoke tailor who splits time between Leeds, Huddersfield and Saville Row, slick menswear boutique The Allotment and street clothing folk Audere, all helping to dress the city. The latest addition, premium denim brand Denham, is quite the catch, marking a turning point in the arcade’s tricky history.

It’s not just clothing though – the arcade benefits from the diversity on offer and Brotherhood Tattoo Studio is evident of that as it continues to grow its reputation. The jewel in the crown however is Bird and Beast, a chicken restaurant that serves up some of the finest poultry in the city, and its sister venue, Bird and Beats, a slick bar that is one of Leeds’ best kept secrets.

Central Arcade, Central Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DE.

The post Explore Leeds’ Shopping Arcades appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Tailored: A Very British Fashion

17 July 2015 – 3 January 2016 at Leeds City Museum

‘Tailored: A Very British Fashion’ celebrates the art and heritage of tailoring from the eighteenth century to the present day. This unique exhibition at Leeds City Museum brings together a wide range of examples of British tailoring and explores the development of tailoring as a renowned British skill from Savile Row in London to the Leeds’ tailoring industry.

Highlights include a jacket worn by Ringo Starr, made by Leeds-trained tailor to the stars Dougie Millings on loan from the V&A, and a specially commissioned suit, made by acclaimed Leeds-born Savile Row tailor, Kathryn Sargent. The suit is further complimented with work by contemporary fashion designers Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Roger Saul for Mulberry.

A programme of workshops, study days and tours will also be available for anyone studying, or with an interest in fashion, textiles and design. To find out more visit www.leeds.gov.uk/tailored

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