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Hat-trick of new shops for Leeds Corn Exchange

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Published Date: 13 March 2010
By Paul Robinson
Bosses at the Leeds Corn Exchange today hailed a hat-trick of new stores as proof of a bright future for the historic shopping hall.
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The multi-occupancy city centre building has been struggling to attract tenants in the wake of a £1.5m refurbishment.

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But now its management firm, Threadneedle, has announced that three independent retailers will be setting up shop in the Corn Exchange this spring.

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They are fashion store All American Vintage, shoe business Russo Italia and Primo's, a 'concept cafe' selling gourmet hot dogs, coffee and ice cream.

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An as-yet-unnamed fashion brand is also said to be in "advanced discussions" about moving to the Grade I listed building.

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Threadneedle asset manager Keith Butcher said: "We are delighted to welcome these retailers. Their arrival is a strong sign that confidence is returning to the retail market.

"Leeds Corn Exchange is being recognised as a truly special location and we look forward to making further announcements soon."

Today's news comes nearly two and a half years after plans were unveiled to turn the newly-renovated Corn Exchange into a high-class food emporium.

Traders selling a wide range of goods were controversially given their marching orders as part of the site's planned reinvention.

Top chef Anthony Flinn subsequently took over the building's 13,200 sq ft basement for his Piazza restaurant venture – but its two other floors remained empty as recently as the start of last year.

Threadneedle then decided to reopen its doors to non-food retailers, a change of heart which has seen three units being taken up by jewellery specialist Outrage and fashion names Dawn Stretton and The Hidden Wardrobe.

Dating back to the 1860s, the Corn Exchange is owned by Leeds City Council but leased on a long-term basis by the property arm of Zurich Assurance.




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  • Last Updated: 12 March 2010 4:08 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Leeds
 
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1

Aunty Warr,

Leeds 13/03/2010 12:54:28
Can anyone afford to eat out nowadays no matter where the food outlets are. More competition might be a good thing to bring down prices though. Has anyone noticed the price of a cup of tea these days.
A W
2

npfiii,

Wakefield 13/03/2010 15:11:14
The old Corn Exchange may have been a dump, but at least it had a good selection of shops.

Post-refurb, there's *no* reason to go there any more.

Surely Leeds Council should have secured tenants before/during the refurb to fill out the units, even if they had to offer reduced rent to do so, rather than open with almost nothing in it...
3

JaneyD,

Kirkstall 13/03/2010 18:36:24
The Corn has been ruined, the shops were so diverse before and the atmosphere was great, a real joy to wander round in, Ive not been in since the refurb, not many of us can afford to eat out much anymore so theres little point in going for a browse now. It should have been refurbished and left to be a mixture of shops as it was before.
4

Hugh1,

14/03/2010 15:09:14
Some rare good economic news.  Even so, if the Tories win Leeds NE and Rothwell/Garforth from Labour they'll have a Commons majority.  Lib Dem, UKIP and Green supporters can safely vote Labour there to block it without Brown getting his own majority, whereas further up the Tory target list in Selby and Shipley voting Labour is too risky. Wins there probably secure a Labour majority so in Selby and Shipley the Tories must be backed to stop them.
5

Leodis,

Leeds 14/03/2010 21:57:36
The old Corn X was good but times change and it needed a re-furb and a shake up. It's alright complaining about old tennants getting booted out but no-one mentions that a lot hadn't paid rent, were selling things they shouldn't be and making a mess of a stunning building. Im looking forward to going back there shopping and trying the new eating places in there.
6

GetyourLeedsfactsright,

Leeds 14/03/2010 22:31:43
npfiii - have you not read any of the past articles about the Corn Exchange?

Leeds council doesn't run the corn exchange!

It's run by some insurance company, THEY'RE the ones who booted everyone out and reopened it as the deserted wasteland it now is.

Face facts - they've wasted one of Leeds' best buildings!!
7

Leodis,

Leeds 14/03/2010 22:53:30
It may have all gone a bit wrong but it's coming back. American Vintage is independent owned by a Leeds lad. Hidden Wardrobe, Dawn Stretton, Outrage are all owned by independent Leeds retailers. Plus theres more going in soon, all local, all independents. Give it a chance.
8

,

15/03/2010 15:38:33
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
9

Laughing Camel,

15/03/2010 16:13:49
The old corn exchange was terrible, most of the tennants should have been in the outdoor market on a stall. When you have an historic building like this you should do something special with it. Anthony Flynn tried to do that and do it in this city, unfortunately for him and the owners the credit crunch went against them.
Lets hope with this new influx of tennats the place gets up and running and becomes a success that can be talked about nationwide not just on the facebook page of some teenage goth. ps everyone can afford to eat gourmet hot dogs and ice cream.
10

M Norris,

leeds 16/03/2010 05:18:21
Possibly the corn exchange/markets and general shops in Leeds centre would do better if it wasn't for the extortionate cost of parking, tied in with the council flooding the centre with wardens to rake in as much revenue as possible. Woe betide anyone who's a minute late back to their cars.
I 'never' go into Leeds centre now,as its so expensive to park plus always watching the time to avoid a ticket.
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