On the subject of procuring, everybody wants a little bit of quirk. By that we imply discovering these outlets which might be slightly unconventional however fascinating and charming on the similar time. With Leicester’s doorways open and able to welcome our new and returning college students right here’s 13 locations in Leicester we all know you’ll love.
The Lanes
No procuring journey in Leicester is full with out heading down these calm, cool and picked up streets which might be full to brimming with incredible impartial outlets. Every thing from designer garments shops and tattoo parlours to jewelry outlets and florists are harboured behind historic Victorian store fronts. There’s additionally an abundance of espresso outlets, pubs and eating places with sensible little terraces, permitting time for that important folks watching a part of your procuring journey.
Leicester’s arcades
We’re not speaking about fruit machines right here. Leicester’s foremost arcades – Odeon, Royal, Malcom and Silver – are mini procuring centres in their very own proper, connecting the Excessive Road to The Lanes and Leicester Market. If any space takes you off-piste and away from the chain shops that is it. At No 1 Royal Arcade is Maynard & Bradley, a gallery and bookshop showcasing vintage maps, classic prints and posters with a framing service in addition. On the different finish, in Odeon Arcade, is Pommygranit Clothes, stocking necessities for anybody who falls into the choice/gothic/emo/steampunk class. Should you can think about something between these two extremes involving meals, clothes, curios and equipment, you’ll in all probability discover it in these arcades.
St Martin’s Sq.
Has foremost entrances in Cank Road and Silver Road that lead you right into a picturesque procuring sq. stuffed with nice independents in addition to bars, espresso outlets and eating places. That is the place to come back in your Fairtrade clothes, homeware, equipment and chocolate at Simply…, get a haircut at Shorty’s or browse the stunning new Fox e-book store. It’s additionally dwelling to Gelato Village which serves one of the best ice-cream outdoors of Italy (says everybody on Journey Advisor).
Tin Drum Books, Narborough Highway
You probably have ever learn a novel that options an previous e-book store in it, we reckon it was in all probability based mostly on Tin Drum Books. If the books – each previous and new – usually are not sitting higgledy-piggledy within the flooring to ceiling cabinets then they’re stacked excessive on each different floor going spare. As one Fb poster wrote of their evaluate: “The looking potential is limitless!”. Put together to spend many a cheerful hour perusing, fuelled by the anticipation that you just by no means know what you may discover. Should you want texts to assist together with your research, begin right here.
Rockaboom, Malcolm Arcade
Each nice metropolis has an excellent impartial report store. Ours is named Rockaboom. You probably have a ardour for music, or extra particularly enjoying music on vinyl, then it’s important to go to. It’s a Leicester establishment. So in the event you’re into rock, reggae, jazz, soul, metallic, home, electronica, funk, disco, pop, African, Latin or blues, that is the place to go for brand spanking new or cut price second-hand inventory. Proprietor Carl’s information and repair is second-to-none. Should you desire to go digital, basic CDs are additionally a cut price. Look out for queues across the block for the annual Document Retailer Day. Beat Route Information across the nook can also be a vinyl hunter’s dream.
The Very Bazaar, Silver Road
One other Leicester establishment which will effectively have invented the phrase ‘different’. The store has occupied a website within the metropolis for many years and had a stall at Glastonbury in 1972! Good for looking in addition to shopping for, that is the place to go for Jap-inspired items from incense sticks to mandala-design bedspreads. Additionally they inventory jewelry, purses, tarot playing cards, crystals, ornaments – the record goes on. Look out for particular classes of Mehndi artwork in henna, Chakra realignment and tarot readings.
The Wardrobe, Royal Arcade
Shares males’s and ladies’s classic clothes from dungarees and catsuits to shirts and tees. Equipment embody luggage and socks and, after all, classic sun shades. That is additionally the place for anybody who likes their checks and polka dots. Good parkas and Harrington jackets too. Completely quirky for anybody who endeavours to be particular person.
NADA, St Martin’s Sq.
Leicester’s zero waste, plastic-free bulk-buy retailer. That is the place to come back for sustainable procuring. Deliver a container and solely purchase what you want, saving on meals waste too. You may select from seeds, flours, pasta, nuts, vegan chocolate, cereals and spices in addition to cosmetics, detergents and cleansing merchandise. It’s all environmentally protected and sourced as regionally as potential to chop down on haulage emissions. Founder Lauren received the Sustainability Award on the Leicester Enterprise Girl of the 12 months.
Pink Pigeon, Silver Road
Part of Leicester for greater than ten years, Pink Pigeon continues the weighing theme – however this time it’s for classic garments. Head upstairs after which get clothes you need then – get this – pay for it by weight. It’s £15 per kilo. There’s extra rummaging to be finished than the center of Lidl. What’s to not love about that? We informed you Leicester has its procuring quirks.
Ye Olde Candy Shoppe, Resort Road
Tucked away the place Cank Road meets Resort Road, that is the store to take the mums or dads who reminisce in regards to the time when sweets have been weighed out and handed to you in a paper bag. The window is stuffed with old school candy containers brimming with classics similar to cola cubes, sherbet lemons, pear drops, barley sugars and humbugs. Simply inform them how a lot you need they usually’ll tip them on the scales then hand them to you within the all-important rustly paper bag. Who stated the 70s weren’t environmentally pleasant?
Sue Ryder Classic and Retro Store, Loseby Lane
We make no apology for itemizing a lot of classic outlets. These are the go-to locations for any scholar trying to gown effectively – or badly relying on which manner your wind blows – for much less. The Sue Ryder is a charity store that raises cash for palliative, neurological and bereavement help and is aware of its clothes. It additionally shares a spread of books and data in addition to kitchen objects.
Leicester Market
It’s in all probability been stated one million occasions but when college students wish to fill up on fruit and veg for not very a lot cash, then that is the place to go (see our previous listicle on 13 things you didn’t know about Leicester). However Leicester Market sells a lot extra at cut price costs. There’s garments, bedding, second-hand vinyl, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, automotive equipment, leather-based items, birthday playing cards (from about 25p), garments, materials and in addition telephone instances for a couple of fiver. Saturday is the busiest day with the widest vary of stalls.
The Classic Scene, Silver Road
That is the standout place to go in your classic sportswear from the likes of Adidas, Nike, Ellesse, Puma and Reebok and many others. The tops date again to the 90s and lots of are lower than £30. A number of classic attire, equipment and nick nacks too. Get caught in.
Posted on Friday thirteenth August 2021
