Each of Yorkshire’s seven cities have their own completely unique shopping experiences. You’ll find plenty of easy ways to spend your cash at any one of them – here we give a run down of some of the highlights:
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Bradford
For some retail therapy of the High Street kind, you’ll find all your favourites at the indoor Kirkgate Centre or outdoors at the Forster Square Retail Park. From fashion and sports to those bathroom cabinet essentials, there are plenty of bargains to be found as you mooch between stores, departments and coffee shops.
If you’re looking for something a little bit different, then there’s a wealth of exciting independent shops to tickle your fancy. Home to some of the best Asian shops in the country, you’ll find yourself surrounded by all the beautiful fabrics, sparkling jewellery and pretty shoes you could wish for. You simply can’t afford to miss out on the treasures in the vibrant quarter known as the World Mile.
Hull
Shopping in Hull is an eclectic experience in every sense. On one hand it’s a delightful mix of student bargains, High Street favourites and independent boutiques down Saville Street and George Street. On the other, it’s a hub of delicious food emporiums and entertainment, drawing you in with tasty treats and movie magic. It’ll keep you busy!
Don’t miss St Stephen’s, Hull’s most stylish shopping destination. With glamorous brands at your favourite stores, like Cult, H&M, Zara, Jane Norman, River Island, Top Shop, Next & USC, there’s more than enough choice to keep you shopping for hours and when you need to relax, why not take time out in one of our restaurants or cafes – Nando’s, Prezzo or Starbucks. You could even make a whole day of it and see the latest film releases at Reel Cinema Screen.
Leeds
Trinity Leeds is the city’s newest and biggest shopping and leisure destination with over 120 shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Housed under a giant iconic glass roof, it is located in the heart of the city between Briggate and Albion Street. Covering 3 floors and open 7 days a week you can shop late night until 8pm from Monday – Saturday and then go on to enjoy dinner and a drink at over 20 superb bars and restaurants late into the night. The centre was named one of the UK’s coolest brands by on the influential annual ‘CoolBrands’ list.
The Victoria Quarter is a stunning group of beautifully restored arcades. Known as the premium shopping centre in the North of England it showcases many designer and top brand names, including the famous Harvey Nichols.
The vibrant and eclectic independent retailers of Leeds have a new champion – Independent Leeds. Leaving no leaf unturned, Independent Leeds is dedicated to showcasing the city’s hidden gems from all corners of the independent sector. Featuring businesses in fashion retail, food & drink, arts & culture, health & beauty, nightlife & entertainment and specialist retailers, the website has become both a helpful ‘hub’ and promotional platform for these independents, as well as a great resource for anyone seeking a unique and truly independent experience or purchase.
Ripon
Small city, big shopping! You’ll find mooching around Ripon’s shopping streets lined with medieval and Georgian buildings a truly pleasurable experience. With a diverse range of stores from independent boutiques to High Street chains offering trendy fashion and traditional gifts, there’s something to suit every age and budget.
If you have a nose and a palate for good quality local food, then you’re in for a treat. Traditional butchers and bakers are in abundance here, and you’ll want to stock up on Thomas the Bakers’ award-winning Yorkshire curd tarts and the homemade breads from Davill’s Bakery.
Just off the market square in the idyllic city of Ripon in North Yorkshire you will find a handpicked collection of independent, local makers, artists, growers and retailers waiting to share their treasure with you.
Sheffield
High Street meets independent boutiques! Butchers, bakers, designer candlestick makers. When it comes to great shops, Sheffield’s got bags of them. But it’s more than just quantity, it’s quality that counts with a choice of everything from up to the minute High Street stores to one-off trendy boutiques waiting to be discovered down Ecclesall Road and the city’s über cool Devonshire Quarter.
If you’re all shopped out, quench your thirst in one of Ecclesall Road’s trendy wine bars before exploring its plethora of chic designer offerings. And before you go, be lured by its marvellous patisseries. A highlight is Cocoa Wonderland, which is like taking a step into the past. Packed full of treats with rows and rows of every kind of sweet imaginable in sparkling glass jars. And, of course, exquisite chocolate!
Wakefield
Wakefield city centre boasts plenty of high street shops and ample parking – not to mention Trinity Walk shopping centre which included Debenhams and the well established Ridings Shopping Centre, making the district a shoppers’ paradise. Cross Square, Cross Street and Northgate in Wakefield and Ropergate in Pontefract offer a wealth of independent clothes stores and boutiques.
York
York – Wander the web of shopping streets to browse the amazing array of independent boutiques, vintage stores and popular high street names. Try Stonegate, which is an attractive old street full of interesting little shops, or The Shambles, which is Europe’s best preserved Medieval street, and the UK’s most visited – now a wealth of shopping and restaurants.
Also, try the Coppergate Centre which is York’s main shopping centre within the ancient city walls. Coppergate is home to the famous Jorvik Viking Centre and many big-name highstreet shops, café’s, galleries and museums. Coppergate has an on-site multi-story car park and the central bus stops and railway station are only a short walk away. Coppergate’s outdoor area is used to host music performances, theatre productions and some of York’s most popular annual events such as the St Nicholas Fayre Christmas market.
Käthe Wohlfahrt – Ten amazing rooms over two floors in a beautiful Tudor fronted building on Stonegate in the heart of York. This all year round traditional German Christmas shop has everything you need to make a perfect Christmas. Whether you are looking for hand crafted wooden nutcrackers, smokers and hanging ornaments, quirky formed glass decorations and traditional baubles, music boxes, snow globes, advent calendars and more, it is all there under one roof. Your visit isn’t complete without seeing the genuine Cuckoo clocks made from wood from the Black Forest.