Free school uniform pop-up returns to Leeds shopping centre with extended opening hours
There will be extra opening days this summer 👕
A free school uniform pop-up is set to return to a Leeds shopping centre this summer, with a bigger shop and extra opening days this year.
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange will open at the Merrion Centre from July 22 to August 29, offering pre-loved school uniforms free of charge to families across the city.
Following the success of last year's initiative, organisers have expanded the scheme for 2026 with a larger retail unit, increased stock and at least 15 opening days throughout the summer holidays.
Run by Leeds charity Wear and Share Leeds, the pop-up is part of the city-wide Leeds School Uniform Exchange initiative, which encourages families to reuse school uniform instead of buying new.
No referral is needed, and families can visit the shop and take the items they need.
The latest figures from the Department for Education estimate that a full secondary school uniform and PE kit costs an average of £442, while primary school uniforms cost around £343.
Tracy Morgan, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said: “Over the years, our community's support has been incredible. By sharing pre-loved uniform, we've been able to help so many families and reduce textile waste at the same time.
“This year, with a bigger presence in the city centre, we hope to reach even more families.”
The pop-up will stock a range of school essentials, including shirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts, blazers, jumpers, PE kits, shoes and accessories, subject to availability. Uniforms are organised by school and size where possible, while donations of clean, good-quality uniform can also be dropped off during opening hours.
Debbie Binnersley, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said: "The Leeds School Uniform Exchange has already made a real difference for thousands of families, saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Expanding the Merrion Centre pop-up means we can go even further this summer."
Last year's Merrion Centre initiative welcomed 319 families across 10 pop-up events, distributing 2,570 items of free school uniform. Organisers expect this year's expanded programme to help significantly more families ahead of the September term.
Charlotte-Daisy Leeming, head of ESG at Town Centre Securities PLC, which owns the Merrion Centre, said: "We're delighted to welcome back the Leeds School Uniform Exchange to the Merrion Centre for 2026, bigger and better than before. By increasing the size of the unit, extending the number of dates and growing the volume of stock available, we're able to support even more families while continuing to champion sustainability, which is a key priority for us and our communities."
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up will be located on the upper balcony level of the Merrion Centre and will be open on selected dates between July 22 and August 29 from 10am to 3pm.