Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Hands up, who considers themselves a fashion addict? If you’re reading this and slowly raising your hand, we’re sure that you’ll fit right in here in Leeds. With such a high density of students in the city, it really is a melting pot of different styles, and we think that's what makes it such a creative place to live. Whether you like to admire fashion, design it or buy it, Leeds really does have it all.
Leeds is considered one of the UK’s top shopping destinations outside of London, and it’s easy to see why. Think about all your favourite big-name high street stores, and you can be sure that Leeds has them. However, as well as your high street must-haves, Leeds has a whole lot more to offer too. There’s a whole host of vintage goldmines, charity shop bargains and quirky independents that will make you wish you had a money tree in your back garden.
Student tip: Usually, the stores in Victoria Quarter may be a little too expensive for a student budget. However, during the sales, prices can be significantly lower – sometimes with up to 70% off.
Student tip: If you’re planning a shopping trip down Briggate, why not make a pit stop at Whitelocks? This little pub is the oldest in Leeds, and it has a great atmosphere. It’s hidden away down an alleyway on Briggate… we challenge you to find it without a map!
Student tip: Before every visit to Trinity, check out the ‘What’s on’ section of their website. Here you can find each store’s latest discounts, events and offers. You can sometimes bag yourself a freebie too.
Student tip: Restaurant East 59th in Victoria Gate has some great mid-week food and drink deals. Why not stop off there after a long day of shopping?
The perfect accompaniment to any day out shopping is stopping for a bite to eat and a drink! So why not check out some of the bars and pubs around Leeds that have the best roof terraces and beer gardens!
If you’re the type of person that doesn’t like to wear the same thing as everybody else, then Leeds has you covered. There are loads of cool independent boutiques for men and women dotted around the city centre and beyond. Some of our students’ favourites include Blue Rinse which sells vintage clothing, Accent clothing which is inside Queen’s Arcade, and Welcome Skate Store which sells skateboarding hardware and street style.
If you want to find some of these places, be sure to venture off the main high streets and into some of the smaller arcades around the city; like Thornton's Arcade and Queen's Arcade and the Corn Exchange. As a city, Leeds is very proud of the independent businesses that have thrived here - so it's always worth going to take a wander and support some local trade.
Leeds Independent Life is a brilliant website and printed magazine that will show you the best of Leeds. Their printed guides, magazines, digital on-line and on-the-move channels are a great way of discovering the distinctive going’s on and enterprises that give places their unique character.
Student tip: For a fun night out with your friends, why not participate in the charity shop challenge? The rules are as follows: you each spend £10 and buy one friend an outfit entirely from a charity shop… the jazzier the outfit, the better. You then must all go out in your new outfits, and the person that gets the most compliments for theirs wins! It’s a fun night out, and you’re contributing to a great cause.
Credit: Erin Brier
Student tip: For a cost-effective way of updating your wardrobe, head to a kilo sale. You could even go with a friend and agree to select at least a few outfits out for each other. That way, you can take a risk and try something you wouldn’t usually purchase/wear, without spending a lot of money.
One of the biggest vintage shops in Leeds is called Blue Rinse. The city holds the shop close to its heart, since it's been trading in the city for well over 15 years, and now has a shop in Manchester as well as concessions of their 'remade' range in both Topshop and Urban Outfitters.
It's also worth checking out the Corn Exchange and other areas of the city for vintage shops, like Best or Pop Boutique.
Worth being in a category of its own, Leeds Community Clothes Exchange is a bit of an underground revolution in Leeds. Basically, you take all of your unwanted clothes to a big room, exchange them for tokens, then spend your tokens on shiny new items! It really is the perfect way for a cash-strapped student to inject new life into their wardrobe. This amazing initiative is run by volunteers, and has a great atmosphere at every event.
Student tip: If you’re not sure your golf skills are up to par, head to Golf Bar Leeds first to play a few games before you commit to becoming a member at a proper club.
