Leeds Corn Exchange welcomes raft of new store openings

Four new tenants have relocated to set up shop in the Grade-I listed Leeds Corn Exchange.

Joining the existing 28 independent shops, cafés and salons in the city’s home of independent stores is a cosmetic salon and a nautical-themed gift shop, as well as two new clothing boutiques which are the only UK retailers of selected brands.

Menswear store All Blues Co., which specialises in casual classics, heritage brands and Americana, opened its doors this summer. The new shop sits next to MKi, one of Leeds Corn Exchange’s fellow menswear specialists.

Another fashion outlet which opened this September on the balcony level is Precious Proms & Pearls, a specialist boutique which stocks a collection of prom dresses and evening gowns from designers that include Sherri Hill, Prom Frocks, Little Black Dress and Morilee Paparazzi by Madaline Gardiner.

Nautical and Nice, which supplies nautical themed gifts and hand crafted presents, has opened following a string of stalls at the centre’s regular gift fairs. Nautical and Nice offers a l range of unusual gifts which include coastal art on driftwood, secret boxes, fused glass, and aeronautical items.

Rounding off the influx of new tenants is Benz and Blanc, a cosmetic solutions salon which offers a professional teeth whitening service alongside a range of natural, organic oral and skincare products.

Paul De La Cruz, owner of Benz and Blanc, said: “With the imminent opening of Victoria Gate and the rise of Leeds as the go-to retail destination in the North, we knew that this was the right city for us.

“We love the independent shops here, so it was a no brainer to choose this as the place to open up our business. It’s important to us to be surrounded by like-minded independent businesses, and we’re really enjoying being alongside the established boutiques in the centre”.

Leeds Corn Exchange opened in 1863, at the height of the Victorian era. The building is now known as the home of independent shopping in the city, with almost 30 boutique shops, cafes and beauty businesses located at the venue.