The Knowhere Guide

Shops and Hobbies in Leeds, West Yorkshire*

Leeds, West Yorkshire Clothes, Magazines, Art, Galleries, Hobbies

Clothes Shops, Shoe Shops, Fashion and Bargains

• Kiosk 78. Exclusive Menswear and Japanese Selvage Denim. Brands include A.P.C, Nom de Guerre, MHL by Margaret Howell, Acne Jeans, Skull Jeans, The Flathead, Passarella Death Squad, Superga and more...
• ACE cos it is.Better and cheaper than the chains.Lots of style for little cash. Amazing retro looks without that 2nd hand smell-cheaper than Oxfam too.Alongside stuff like Ringspun they have smaller interesting labels (without "desugner price tags")-Solid for boys is right on target,Only and Numph for girls.I luv the japanese toys+bags+bits! very cute.
• ACE cos it really is Ace!! you getunusual+ interesting stuff- NOT big expensive brands ,some stuff is cheaper Retro shops and it does not smell.The staff are cool just like the customers;spot local band members..........
• There's a well cool new clothes shop in Headingley called Hangeroom. I think it's the same company as Ginger Ink, so you can expect the same quality customer service. It's a massive shop so there's loads of choice. They stock brands like Firetrap, Henley's, Miss Sixty, Scoth and Soda, Modern Amusement, Solid, Supreme Being, Sugaloaf, M by M and a really cool Leeds based label called Bothered. Make sure you check it out!
• Ginger Ink- There's now three stores 26 Otley Road, Headingley 14 Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton 87 Town Street, Horsforth and most recently an on-line store www.gingerink.co.uk They stock brands like Boxfresh, Full Circle, Duck n Cover, Burn n Violet, Religion, Wale Adeyemi, Cast Iron to name but a few The shops feel like boutiques, the music is played loud, the clothes are brilliant, when you shop there its like having a personal shopper and more importantly the staff are gorgeous! They also have a sister company called Hangeroom at 29 Otley Road, Headingley which is just as cool!
• Get unique clothing from local indie designers at prettycraftythings - a monthly alternative craft market at Leeds Met Student Union bring you a magical blend of shopping and music. Check out www.prettycraftythings.co.uk for more information!
• Jade Shoe Shop in Leeds is FAB for New Rocks and Converse.Also do stilettos,flats,boots,trainers.Brands like:Vans,Roxy,Converse,Birkenstocks,Dr Martens.(Mostly for girls,bt sum gr8 guys shoes)
• ACE is good.
• crossgates center is well good!! it has new look, claires, select nd ummmmmm i cant think of more but its good!!
• hellraiser/kyro obviously, either in leeds or morley. but river island for you more fashionable people. Grin is alsways god for a laugh.
• Vivienne Westwood, for style!
• Some great places in the Corn exchange, esp alt lifestyle
• everywhere. H&m adnd topshop of corse as well as stuff like blue rinse, nice clothes total rip off though.
• The RSPCA charity shop opposite the corn exchange is schgud you should come along and get a bargain or two.
• Fat Face a small outdoor clothing store at Victoria Quarter
• zara, h&m, topshop, jade, tk max. all cheap but good
• River Island Miss Selfridge Milano Boutique Life
• Granary Wharf. Under the railway station. Some really cool shops and stalls selling really different kinds of gear. If you are fed up with the high street junk then give it a try.
• Route One, Free Spirit O'neill are all good. Im also quite liking H&M for cheap, nice looking gear, all on briggate.
• exit
• ginger ink on North Lane, Headingley. At last a cool shop offering a wide choice of trendy labels sold to you by incredibly good looking staff!Luckily,it's handy for local bars to numb the pain of being seperated from so much of your money so quickly! They've just opened another branch on Town Street in Horsforth selling the same great stuff.
• wisdom, exit , where evr really where u can find what u wnt thers a big selection
• Used to live in blue rinse but noticed a considerable rise in prices, try pussy palace like two doors down from it, good for jacket sof the retro sports variety and plenty of cool jackets for men.
• The usual high street but there's some independent stuff too. Try Blue Rinse at the Corn Exchange or in Leeds uni
• Grimoire is great place for random gothic/punk/rockabilly stuff, and some fetish wear too. It's down near the Church, opposite where Demona used to be. Down the road Hellraiser's on. It would be good if I could remember the name...
• The Corn Exchange is a veritable box of delights...plus all the boutiques in the Queens Arcade are worth checking out.
• High and Mighty (well, I'm a big lad)
• Free Spirit, TK Max
• Meanwood Charity Shop is where the thrifty at heart should get there clobber. Plenty Emo gear if yer game for a wade.
• ark in the corn exchange, sells hooch, cahartt, roxy, bench etc.
• not harvey nicks
• For Footy Casuals/Hooligans you Can't beat LIFE, FLANNELS, OLIVERS and Harvey Nichols.
• You know the deal, mum wants some 'stuff' and your dragged along. Morley, Kewl shop in Morley Market sells all goth, hoodies, t-shirts as well as metal jewellry and I got some cool rings. Check out KYRO NOW.
• lables for less,everything under a tenner and the market.
• rag trader has moved to york road
• corn exchange, hellraiser
• How has no-one mentioned Morgana's ('Under the arches' - i.e. Granary Wharf, for you non-Leeds people)? Or the Dark Angel, its supplier up in the Corn Exchange? Both stock amazing Goth/Mediaeval/slutty-in-a-good-way stuff for alternative/goth types, or just for a laugh. I always go in there when I need cheering up - the clothes make you look great and the staff are so laid back and friendly.
• exit in the corn exchange loads of skate wear but pricey.go next door to raw for decent skate shoes.
• Wisdom
• Where do we start...the corn exchange is great for alternative clothing...especially 'oon moda' if you want some up to the minute classy clobber. Check out the second hand shops like Blue Rinse next to the corn exchange for vintage clothing such as Levi and Wrangler jeans and jackets. Top Shop is looking good at the moment and H&M is great for bargins like hats and jewellery. Zara's worth having a look in. If your wanting to spend a bit more go to Queens Arcade where you'll find Accent for men and women. If your wanting to pick up some jeans by Miss Sixty and Diesel this place is perfect. They also stock shoes you may not find anywhere else in Leeds. Other brands include Replay, Kenzo, Versace jeans etc. If your wanting cool trainers get on down to Footlocker you'll get some cool colours of Nike Rifts and Puma sprints. Know if your wanting to spend even more then that then get yourself into Harvey Nichols to pick up all that great designer gear such as Prada, Chloe, Whistles etc. Have a look at the trainers as well, they have a small selection but some of them are quite a resonable price. I got myself some nice Royal Elastics from there for a mere £50. Finally....you have to go in Vivienne Westwood even if it's just for a look. If you want to fit in with the hip and trendy guys in Leeds this place is a must.
• POSITIVELY 13 O'CLOCK(next to the corn exchange). Smelly retro stuff. I havent brought anything but go in there just to watch the well funny shop assistant. BLUE RINSE - Lots of flares, cords and loads of retro stuff. GRIN - Not one of my favorite places as too small, dark, smelly and scary but good for skaters
• Any where in the victorian quarter (don't forget your credit card!)
• purple haze wisdom depends what type of boarder you are.
• Second shops galore in Headingley and Hyde Park Corner. Bound to pick up some good bargains.
• House of Fraser is good when the sales are on !!!! and Harvey Nics SWEETIE
• anywhere in t he corn exchange, grin makes you smile
• Grin(alternative stuff)and re-bop(Tshirts+flares)in corn exchange Blue Rinse (outside corn exchange) good for flares ACE-nice clothes bit expensive, sales assistants are scary! Dodgy jeans shop opp big Topshop good for baggy jeans
• Anywhere in Victoria Quarter. RETRO - opposite Vivian Westwood. Fantastic Clothes.
• Too Many, go to wisdom.
• Corn exchange, Briggate, Victoria Qtr.
• Speed Queen for an interesting night on the town Blue Rinse near Corn Exchange for all those alternative clothes Sugar Shack at Hyde Park Corner
• rag trader austhorpe road cross gates leeds, fantastic stuff all seconds but you cant usually find the faults and the prices are really low, the best thing is sizes go up to 26 /28 in ladies and they only sell topn names, it looks a bit grotty out side but its great value so i dont suppose they can afford great decor anyway who needs it. the owner Sue is a bit eccentric shes a right laugh if you dont upset her.
• Chimp is the best cloths shop i can thinkof its in Thorntons arc.
• ugh. the very thought of it. headingley features a million charity shops where you can get ace stuff for nowt. cool fer rekkids, too.
• Jigsaw is Brilliant in Leeds - great Staff and cool threads - All the shops in the Victoria Quarter are worth looking as with the county arcade....
• I haven't lived in Leeds for eight years - is X CLothes still there? It used to be all pointy shoes and poseurs working behind the counters, people who would ignore you if you weren't part of their 'scene', but would rush to help the local nobody goth heroes, and their poseur mates! It was worth going in just to LAFF at them.
• Check out USC on Briggate for the designer labels for something cheaper try Stolen from Ivor which is practically next door.
• Do shoe shops count here? Because Schuh is extremely cool, always got amazing shoes and great trainers, plus the staff aren't (usually) in the least bit poncy about it.
• The Corn Exchange is excellent for clubbing and alternative dress.
• Try out Klass on Lower Briggate: an excellent shop full off unpretenscious staff selling excellent clothes, good brand names designer in the main at great great prices.
• For those expensive JPG, Destroy, Stussy et al, go to Hip (Both boys and girls shops are in Thornton's Arcade). Friendly assistants.
• Famous Army Stores in Leeds sell these way rad kegs, just like the thin material jeans that are in at the moment. They're workmen's jeans and they're only a tenner, but they need to be bought in about 48" size because they shrink a bit.

Arts, crafts and such (Anything from pukka art galleries to craft shops. Trendy and twee both welcome.)

• Your art and craft needs Imag-e-nation, Leeds.. Great art and craft shop on the top floor of the Headrow Centre, next to New Look
• FIVE TOASTERS HIGH Art events in Leeds In November last year a group of artists stood around a kitchen table debating the state of art in Leeds. In the midst of the discussion there came a light-bulb of an idea. They would get together and hold an art auction to show and to sell work created by themselves and their contemporaries. And so after much more debate and a little planning the Art Auction happened in the Adelphi pub in February this year. Drinks were drunk, art was sold - it was a raging success! The debate continued among the group, who named themselves Five Toasters High (a comment on height restrictions at fairgrounds and the right size for a saleable piece of artwork). Following the event they came to an agreement that another art auction would be organised. The aim of the auction would be to give artists a platform to show their work and hopefully spark the interest of a buyer or new collector, and for the public to see and buy new and interesting original art in the comfort and familiarity of their local public house.
• prettycraftythings - a monthly alternative craft market at Leeds Met Student Union bring you a magical blend of shopping and music. Featuring the work of local indie designers and rengade crafters - from clothing and jewellery, bags and belts to badges and postcards abnd cool stuff for your house. Check out www.prettycraftythings.co.uk for more information!
• travelling man has some wierd shit
• east leeds rugby .bulldogs www.east-leeds-rugby.co.uk
• Corn Exchange again. Excellent craft shops and a great christmas craft market
• Hobbicraft, outsidde the St johns centre. Sells EVERYTHING..... hobby related. Almost.
• Granary wharf attracts a number of craft type shops like hand made silver jewellery and greeting cards. There's also a guy making some really different furniture out of scrapyard waste. Great
• henry moore art gallery
• aromatics-id is cool its near the train station very hippy
• The corn exchange is filled with good shops for stupid little presents.
• On the day that war begins in Iraq, assemble in Dortmund Square (next to the Headrow) at 6pm. Demonatrate in Bradford, January 18th, 12 noon in Lister Park. February 15th in London. You normally have very little opportunity to influence the way this country is run - this time you could save millions of lives just by turning up.
• It's not exactly arts and crafts, but go in the wikka type shop in the corn exchange - the woman with crazy hair who works there is really nice and always chats.
• west yorkshire playhouse and its free, yep free cybercafe....ask for mark!
• DINSDALES ART AND GRAPHICS has just moved from the city centre to HEADINGLEY... how cool is that? Great, I don't have to go all the way into town for my art supplies!
• Leeds City Art Gallery is worth a look.
• Granary Wharf, under the arches, has the widest range in Leeds of really unusual, hand made or non-High Street goods and has a great atmosphere with free entertainment every weekend.
• leeds art gallery, lots of hippy type art stores too.
• Trade for a change.
• Arty Smarty is a great place to go. You can throw a pot and paint it. They do kids parties too
• Ikea
• oblong studios is a non-hierarchical brilliant place. based in meanwood (carr mills) it's a "creative space" (man) with band rehearsal space, studio space for artists, netwerked pcs for dtp, photoshop, e-mail and www etc, + workshop library and xerox. it rocks. 0113 262 8414 is the digit. run by lovely people and dead dead good.
• North of England craft shop under the art gallery at the Town Hall.

Magazine and Comic Shops

• Travelling man for an excellent selection of 'geekery' loads of comics, posters and all sorts.
• Comicville. total ripoff though.
• There's a REALLY seedy, 'specialist' magazine shop at the top end of Briggate, opposite the Grand theatre. It sells allsorts of stuff, not just jazz-mags, but it just gives a real vibe of sordidness and corruption. go in and see for yourself.
• Sadly i have to say WHSMITHS, no originality on this one, they tend to have deent magazines in most of the time...And the staff uniforms are nice :)
• Forbidden Planet on Headrow at the bus station end, there's one in the corn exchange upstairs too.
• Travelling Man, top floor of the Corn Exchange, is excellent for Graphic Novels and RPG stuff. The staff are really nice too.
• Don't do comics or mags - the kiosk by the bus-stops near the Corn exchange does all the gay ones though...
• forbidden planet on the headrow leeds the best selection of comics and specialist stuff in yorkshire great for something a bit different.
• dont know its name but theres a good comicy shop just outside the merrion centre.
• Forbidden Planet on The Headrow, the best shop EVEr for comics & comic related items.
• comicville
• Corn Exchange has some good shops also bottom of headrow near bus station theres an ace comic shop, Forbidden Planet I think its called.
• sidewalk
• In the Corn Exchange all the shops are well funny. The Condom Shop etc. Other comic shops are in the Merrion Superstore and there's also Odyssey 7 somewhere but I can't remember where.

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Last updated: 2007-11-09