The beautifully restored Leeds Corn Exchange has operated as the heart of trade in the local community of Leeds since 1864. Once an important exchange hall for agricultural trade, the architectural masterpiece is now Leeds’ home of independent retail. Find an expansive collection of boutique retailers showcasing fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and gifts beneath the building’s spacious domed roof.
Designed by the architect best known for his work on the Leeds Town Hall, Cuthbert Brodrick, the building was based on the Bourse de Commerce of Paris. The Corn Exchange held regular farmers markets and the trade of corn, wheat, barley, hops, four and leather. Walk in through the building’s elegant entry arches, admiring the beautiful stonemasonry and striking architectural features throughout its stunning façade. The large circular building is characterized by a ring of small arched windows, which give the interior an airy and light-filled atmosphere.
Explore the building’s selection of local innovators, retailers and food outlets. You’ll find some of the region’s finest fashion designers, jewellery-makers, beauty specialists and giftware retailers. Pick up a one-off piece by a local designer or at a vintage boutique or find the perfect holiday book at the bookstore. The building is crisscrossed with ornate stairways that connect the ground floor with the upper mezzanine levels.
Take a seat at one of the cafés in the Corn Exchange and enjoy a cup of tea as you take in the building’s mesmerizing interior architecture. Check out the stunning glazed dome roof, which allows sunlight to pour in through large skylights. On weekends, you might catch free live music and performances in the historic trades hall.
Leeds Corn Exchange is situated in the heart of the city and is fronted by a pedestrianized zone easily accessible by bus. It is a 10-minute, well-signposted walk from the Leeds Railway Station and Leeds Bus Station. Parking is available in the city centre. The Corn Exchange has disability access, public restrooms and baby-changing facilities. It is open 7 days a week during regular business hours. Explore the surrounding neighbourhood to see more magnificent Victorian-era architecture.
