Major retail hubs for shopaholics in West Yorkshire

By Kingfisher Visitor Guides

Halifax

Once you enter Halifax Piece Hall, you might not come out for hours. Its huge central courtyard is surrounded by two floors of fantastic retail shops. You’ll find everything from homewares, jewellery and fashion, to unique gifts, cosmetics and memorabilia. Brown Paper Packages offers gifts and crafts by local and national artisans, with shabby interior accessories.

The Yorkshire Gallery showcases artists and designers connected to West Yorkshire, and it’s hard to resist the fine art and contemporary jewellery on display. Jitterbug Jean shows off quirky vintage and Rockabilly classics, like swing dresses and shoes from Irregular Choice. As vinyl makes a comeback, Loafers is the place to browse a range of genres and some obscure sounds, all in a setting filled with iconic music artwork. It’s also a chance to try locally imported Dark Woods coffee.

Retail stores around West Yorkshire offer everything from fashion to jewellery

Creative Crystals has been trading in The Piece Hall for 25 years, with a wide range of gemstones, crystals and minerals. Gingerbread promises to combine the elegant with the practical in your home, with its eclectic range of antique and vintage pieces, offset by contemporary fabrics and wall coverings. From the classic to the flamboyant, House of 925’s regularly-changing range aims to offer something that’s ‘a little different from the retail high street’.

Once you enter Halifax Piece Hall, you might not come out for hours. Its huge central courtyard is surrounded by two floors of fantastic retail shops. You’ll find everything from homewares, jewellery and fashion

Woolshops Shopping Centre hosts retail high street names alongside fantastic independents. Family-run department store Harveys of Halifax has been around for more than 100 years and is dedicated to stocking items from the very best of brands including Alessi, Emma Bridgewater, Joules Homeware and Orla Kiely. Lister Horsfall Jewellers is an essential stop if you are looking for quality Swiss watch brands and fine jewellery. Need a sweet fix? Pop into Spogs and Spice or The Chocolate Box.

Huddersfield

In Huddersfield, the town centre offers all the usual suspects with a few surprises. But, to really get a taste of something different try Byram Arcade, Huddersfield’s oldest. The haven for independent shopping covers three floors with homeware, fashion, arts, gifts and crafts. Numerous arts and music events take place within the Victorian setting throughout the year.

If you want to take something special home from Yorkshire, visit McNair. Made from the very finest virgin merino lambswool, McNair Mountain Shirts are painstakingly hand-made. The wool is dyed, spun, woven, milled, raised and steamed. All this happens within 10 miles of their atelier in Huddersfield, in a valley containing more than 1,000 years of wool craft and expertise. For air-conditioned comfort, Kingsgate Shopping Centre is the home of Swarovski, Waterstones and TK Maxx.

Wakefield

For the big names in high street retailers, Wakefield’s Trinity Walk and Ridings Shopping Centre fit the bill. Ridings is rich in history and home to a five-screen, state-of-the-art cinema, as well M&S, Morrisons, T.K.Maxx and Primark. It also boasts a large number of local independents. Browse through the goodies at Made & Found in Yorkshire and Created in Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire has a wide range of high street shops to browse

Wakefield’s city precincts centre on the huge Wakefield Cathedral. Nearby is Frank Bird menswear for the guys and Lagenlook clothing for the gals at My Luna. Check out the Double TWO factory shop for this heritage brand which specialises in men’s shirts, ties, formal and casual wear just on the outskirts of town by Thornes Park. Hungry yet? You’ll also enjoy great dining experiences at a wealth of eateries surrounding all the shopping areas.

Castleford and Bradford

Castleford is well worth a visit for a brilliant mix of independents and larger stores. Junction 32 has more than 90 high street outlet stores including an M&S Outlet, Nike Factory Store and Gap offering. All of them offer huge discounts! Then, prepare for the Yorkshire hills at Blacks, Mountain Warehouse or Craghoppers. There are several places to eat and drink including Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Subway. Travelling with non-shoppers? Drop them off for fun and games at Xscape, which stands opposite Junction 32.

Whether you’re looking for clothes or coffee, Junction 32 in Castleford has you covered

Retail shopping centre heaven awaits at The Broadway, which is Bradford’s shiniest and newest. Shop up a storm at over 90 stores including Marks & Spencer, H&M and River Island. Along with all the top fashion brands, there’s a six-screen cinema for anyone who needs a break. Forster Square Shopping Park also stocks high street brands and you’ll find Bombay Stores, the largest Asian department store in Britain, on Shearbridge Road.

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