Want something unique? Stylish? Maybe even handmade? You can find it all at these brilliant independent shops.
If it’s cool shops you’re after, it’s cool shops you’ll have! Quirky one-offs, cutting-edge designer gear and historic record shops await in Leeds, some tucked away in some of the most beautiful arcades you’ll ever visit. Best of all, you won’t find these shops anywhere else…
Colours May Vary
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Up on the top floor of the Corn Exchange, Colours May Vary is a cornucopia of art and design books, with a focus on illustration and creativity. You can pick up everything from tomes about Tove Jansson, creator of The Moomins, to stylish tote bags, homewares and prints.
Time it right and you might walk through the door when they’re having one of their regular exhibitions or book launches, or when they’ve just received delivery of their latest artist commission – it’s your chance to get something completely unique.
Colours May Vary, Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BR.
Mondego
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If you’re into ceramics that feel handmade and downright special, swing by Mondego — it’s the UK’s first place selling Portuguese stoneware by weight, meaning you pick and pay for exactly what you love. Plates, jugs and mugs come in all sorts of shapes, colours and patterns, so whether you’re after a statement piece or something practical, there’s plenty to get excited about here.
Found just outside the city centre at The Tank Room, this friendly little homeware haven is all about quality without the silly price tags. And with new ceramics rolling in regularly from Portugal, every visit feels like a mini treasure hunt for your home.
Mondego, Unit C1a, The Tank Room, Roundhouse Business Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 1AH.
The Plant Point
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If you want botanic inspiration, enter the bijou jungle that is The Plant Point in Leeds Corn Exchange. It’s so gorgeously verdant inside, with succulents lining the shelves and vines draped over them, that you’ll feel for a moment like you’ve stepped outside.
But no, this is a shop, and everything is for sale! They have all the plants you could possibly need to transform your home into an urban sanctuary, from ferns to devil’s ivy. Add in pots, potting tools and advice aplenty, and it’s the perfect place for plant lovers.
The Plant Point, Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BR.
Jumbo Records
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Jumbo Records has been going for so long (it first opened its doors in 1971) that many of us have grown up on the music we’ve bought from its generations of staff. And that includes the current owners – they too were customers before they took up the baton.
This is a cherished institution. They stock all the latest music across multiple formats, as well as merchandise, books and tickets for local shows. After a new needle for your turntable? They’ve got that too. And if it’s a recommendation you’re after, they’ll be happy to help.
Jumbo Records, Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8NG.
Masato Jones
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Masato Jones was born in Tokyo and worked as a designer and pattern cutter in London before opening his boutique Leeds shop in 2021. It’s now a must-visit for the style-conscious folk of Leeds, with a mix of fashion and homeware, all in one place.
Using his impeccable tastes, Masato has created a collection of statement pieces. Bold colours, striking patterns and sharp lines rule the roost. Even the t-shirts, casual as they are, boast eye-catching prints. And the same is true of the homeware and accessories.
Masato Jones, 5 Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LQ.
The Cheesy Living Co.
The Cheesy Living Co
Another cracker, The Cheesy Living Co. are dons in the dairy game. Their little deli in Leeds Corn Exchange now has a twin in Oakwood, and they both serve the same oh-so-indulgent selection of cheese, charcuterie and more. It’s heaven for cheese-lovers!
Behind the counter, you’ll find classics like Pitchfork Cheddar, Waterloo Brie and Leeds Blue, which can be sliced in single-serving slivers or home-cheese-board chunks. But it’s not just cheese. They’ve got chutneys, olives, cornichons, crackers and more.
The Cheesy Living Co., Unit C8A, The Corn Exchange, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BR.
Welcome Skate Store
A place of pilgrimage for skaters in Leeds and beyond, Welcome ticks every box for skateboarders and streetwear fans. They stock all the big brands, from Nike SB sneakers through to Converse, Vans and clothes from Carhartt, Dickies and Thrasher.
Their own brand efforts – both Welcome and Don’t Mess With Yorkshire – are also iconic, with new collections being added to their racks on a regular basis. And it’s not just clothes. They’ve got a panoply of boards and accessories for you to choose from.
Welcome Skate Store, 22 Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LQ.
Art & Soul
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If you’re after gifts and trinkets that feel like they’ve got a bit of soul, then this indie gem in Queens Arcade should be just your jam. It’s packed with artisan goodies – think quirky prints, handcrafted jewellery, candles, cards and all sorts of lovely bits from local and UK makers – so you’ll always find something a bit different to take home.
The vibe here is laidback and friendly, with staff who are properly into what they sell and always ready to chat about the creatives behind each piece. It’s a lovely stop when you’re browsing town for a unique present or just want to celebrate quality craft and creativity.
Art & Soul, 11-13 Queens Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LF.
Shush Interiors
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Love a vintage find? Shush is the shop you need to seek out. Located in their new home in the Corn Exchange, it’s a treasure trove of pre-loved goodies – and we’re not talking clothes. From retro cameras to typewriters, TVs and telephones, this is vintage homeware at its best.
There’s an exceptional collection of vintage furniture, ranging from sideboards to sofas, with plenty mid-20th century pieces. Vases, trinkets, prints and kitchenware all make an appearance, in collection that changes every time you visit. Worth checking out.
Shush Interiors, Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BR.
The Bookish Type
The Bookish Type is one of the city’s most progressive bookshops. An independent queer retailer owned by Ray Larman and Nicola Hargrave, it promotes novels, zines, plays, memoirs, poetry and children’s books from LGBTIQA+ writers and illustrators.
But the collection is just part of it. They also run events, from quizzes to tours, signings and screenings, all which are of an inclusive nature. Look out for their Second Hand Sundays for a chance to grab a bargain and raise money for a local grassroots LGBTQ+ group.
The Bookish Type, 77a Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BR.
