Exhibition explores 200 years of shopping in Leeds

THE COMPANY behind a major new shopping centre in Leeds is launching an exhibition exploring the city's retail past.
Hammerson celebrates Leeds rich retail heritage with History of Here exhibition.  Images and stories spanning 200 years of Leeds history up to the present day are unveiled at Victoria Quarter.Hammerson celebrates Leeds rich retail heritage with History of Here exhibition.  Images and stories spanning 200 years of Leeds history up to the present day are unveiled at Victoria Quarter.
Hammerson celebrates Leeds rich retail heritage with History of Here exhibition. Images and stories spanning 200 years of Leeds history up to the present day are unveiled at Victoria Quarter.

A series of portraits, photographs and stories spanning 200 years are displayed in a new History of Here exhibition.

It has been put together by Hammerson, the developers behind the new Victoria Gate scheme.

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The exhibition has opened at the 19th century Victoria Quarter arcade on Queen Victoria Street. It features a commissioned series of portraits of shoppers by the documentary maker Humans of Leeds and also brings together memories and images from archives and the community of Leeds.

James Hepburn, development manager at Hammerson said: “We are truly committed to the cultural development and identity of Leeds, and throughout this development we have been conscientiously working closely with all stakeholders to preserve and respect Leeds’ rich heritage.

“We wanted to look back and uncover the community’s memories of shopping in the city, which we hope Victoria Gate will become a part of when it opens in October this year.”

The anonymous artist behind Humans of Leeds, who created the work, said: “A lot of my work is really emotive, and really connects with people who really love this city.

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“The pieces are really a social documentary of the people in Leeds; their stories, their memories and their history.

“As my work started online initially, I’m delighted to be exhibiting in a tangible space that people can enjoy passing and interacting with in real life.”

The History of Here exhibition is on display until the autumn in the Victoria Quarter mall. Victoria Gate is set to open on October 20 and will include John Lewis store.

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