I was looking for souvenirs for my kids and asked around the clerk at John Lewis recommended it. It…read moreclosed at 6 pm, so I had to return the following day to check it out. The name outside this oval shape some building is called Corn Exchange Shops. It houses a collection of speciality boutique stores. It claimed that the merchandises were exclusively from local independent makers, artists and designers of Yorkshire. The basement level has a few ping pong tables set up for recreational players. I did pick a few unique items from the shop called Natural & Nice. It has two camera stores that sell old SLR cameras that used films. It is pretty cool place to hang out and do window shopping.

From the owner: Hand picked fine gifts exclusively from ourselves and other local independent makers, artists and…read moredesigners of Yorkshire! Find us at the Leeds Corn Exchange or Shop Online. The Great Yorkshire Shop is built on passion and pride of the county and supporting local business, trade and the production of British made items. Specialising in selling a selection of quality, hand picked goods from the independents of Yorkshire including, cards, gifts, foods, art, homeware, beauty and men's products. All are unique items not found on the high street!

This is a cute little gift shop in a sea of gift shops on the Chapel Allerton high street. At…read morepresent the store has a lovely christmas display in their window, which caught my eye, so I went in to have a look. The first thing to hit me was the lovely cinnamon smell as I entered. On browsing I discovered all kinds of different items for sale, ceramics, cards, hello kitty brand items and many other knick-knack type items. On deeper investigation I noticed that the prices weren't as competitive as their neighbours'. The glassware was quite expensive for what it was and they had some button earrings on sale - which were literally buttons attached to earrings - that cost £10, which i thought was pretty high for what they were. Still, it's always worth having a look in these shops as everyone has different taste, and invariably there will be some little treat that you might find. All in all a nice little shop with a few cool things to see.

This gift and card shop is similar to the second Angels shop down the road 'Angels Too'. I had…read morepopped into this one for a card and decided to check out the other one, mentioned to me as I was making my purchase. They both sell cards and gifts but the range here seems to aimed at different customers. There are gifts and stationary items from the Hello Kitty brand and a range I had not come across before - Momiji dolls. They seem quite a cult thing when I looked them up on the internet later on but something that might appeal to teenage girls. There was also a 'Top Model' range. Something else I hadn't come across before either, probably due to my age (mid-twenties, too old to be interested but to young to have children that are). So you can find many gift items here and will probably be drawn in by the colourful window display that currently involves a gothic christmas tree.

My friend and I were going for a wee jaunt in Rawdon and we came across this delightful shop. She…read morehad just passed her driving test so I suggested a drive out to a random Leeds town and we decided to visit Rawdon - it was a total off the cuff find! The layout of the shop is most curious, being on the corner of the street almost, the shop itself opens out on the the street at both sides! This was a little disorientating from the inside, but I soon cottoned on. From one entrance you were met with a plethora of beautiful glass ware, hand made delightful wine glasses, little trinkets and key rings, beautiful cardigans, home ware tea sets and other gorgeous gift items. My favourite of this room was a lovely Indian (?) style lamp shade like a metal framed globe with different coloured gems which made up the body of it. At £55 I decided to think on it, but it was beautiful. Upstairs was a gallery of different floral prints, material prints and other really interesting art works. In the other room through to the other side of the street was a lovely hand made card section (situated in the through-fare) and then a gorgeous jewellery and toy section where we were greeted by a lovely sales lady. The shop is beautifully laid out, with exquisite and imaginative gift items from all kinds of indie designers and crafters, and it was most definitely worth stopping by. Prices range with some sale pieces, but expect to take a while as it is mesmerising!

This is a really lovely gift shop and emporium of beautiful things!…read more It is just by Rawdon Traffic lights so really easy to find. The shop stocks lots of lovely, unusual gift items for a variety of budgets. It is a wonderful place to go in for a browse around (no doubt you will find something you love) or to look for a special present. This shop is always my first port of call when looking for a mother's day present, or gifts for my other female relatives. Staff are happy to help and quick to come up with helpful suggestions if you are struggling for ideas. It can be a little expensive, but makes up for this with the convenience of it's location

You will want to buy everything at Chirpy, from the stunning prints, to gorgeous jewellery, all UK…read moredesigned and made. There are workshops run from the upstairs as well as a gallery. Harriet who runs the space is a sweetheart and can recommend the perfect gift or treat.

From the owner: Design to make you feel fine!!…read more Chirpy provides the good people of Yorkshire with quirky, fun and stylish gifts and home accessorise which you wouldn't normally find in the high street. The shop is stocked full of UK designed and made goodies, including prints, cushions, jewellery, smellies, kitchenware, stationery, things for the garden and cool stuff for kids. Chirpy also hosts arts and craft workshops lead by local artists and makers who supply the shop. There is a mix of day, evening and Saturday classes held in the cool upstairs space above the store Check out the website for the programme and try your hand at something new!

There's a growing joy to the Corn Exchange once again, and perhaps it was something to do with the…read morefabulous Judy's Vintage Pop-Up Shop upstairs, but when I came in for a browse here I was in a great mood. The cute and trinkety items that I found within only served to match that mood, as did the pleasant aroma and very "zen" vibe of the goods inside. Whilst it's true the items aren't cheap, since I'm sure you could get similar for less if you really tried, they are delightful. The kinds of furniture you would love as a show off piece in your home and more than a few knick-knacks that would make a delightful addition to anyone's mantel piece collection. Think Eastern style decorative items, ornaments and such like and you'll have an idea. A little like Shared Earth but less obviously fair trade. (They might be, I'll have to check that though!) I think I'll certainly be back for the gorgeous green tea sets, as they would make a great gift for many friends of mine, though I must admit there's a huge chance it will be kept for yours truly... Surely worth a browse for a moment or two, and as Christmas looms, perhaps just that little bit more.

Although these products could be purchased cheaper by going directly to these countries, What about…read morethe even bigger companies that sell these items at an even larger profit?? Graham and Greene have the very same morroccan pouffes for sale at £130.00, nearly double the price than that of yellow sunrise....Also shops like THE PIER and CARGO which will sell wall hangings etc for five to six times the price of what they are worth.. I am certainly not a wealthy wife but I would prefer to buy from yellow sunrise than some of the other ,fat cat, companies around.

Cats is a lovely little gift shop within the Leeds University Union. It sells lots of cards for all…read moredifferent occasions, so, as there is a letter box within the Union, this is great if you've forgotten a special occasion. It also sells a variety of little knick-knacks that make great gifts.

9-11 Westgate, Bradford…read more BD1 2QL 01274 724341 This is a fantastic shop - its based just outside the main shopping arcade (kirkgate) - just opposite the main taxi rank. This shop is good for the one off original goth/punk clothing like the tie dye stuff, etc. Obviously they are dearer than off the peg clothes like top shop, etc, but they are well worth buying as you are unlikely to see many others in them and the quality of the clothing is absolutely brilliant. They also sell accessories, bags, hair dyes (original henna and original pattchouli oil can be bought here), jewellery and bed covers. They have a huge selection of one off ornaments to buy too. They do a good range in cards and wrap paper too. The staff are due to change hands soon due to the current owner retiring, but, the current staff are very friendly and polite and treat you as if you are a very welcome customer. There is a changing room to try the clothes on and decide whether to buy.

This is a great shop with a wide selection of alternative products…read more The shop is mainly aimed at the alternative lifestyle with their gothic, vampy clothes. Wide selection of jewellery which makes perfect gifts. There is also gift cards and books, from spell books to novels. To the rear of the store is ornaments which are truly beautiful similar to the Myth and Magic ornaments you can get and much more. The prices are sometimes a little high but the majority of clothing etc are so original you dont mind paying that little extra

As the recession hath taken away, it seems it also giveth back. Slowly but surely new additions are…read morearriving each week to Leeds and I'm happy to report that Cath Kidston has arrived! The more discerning vintage shopper may be all too aware of this cutesy brand, but for the average browser it may come as a welcome surprise. Whilst the items in store mightn't be too tempting to someone who looks for the one-off purchase, there is plenty to please for the rest of Leeds. With gorgeous little tea dresses, adorable kitsch gifts and homely 50s style household items there is a wide range to choose from. When I popped in last I was a bit overwhelmed by the choice, and since I was in a rush, couldn't afford the luxury of an extended browse. However, given that the style of the innards that can be found within, I can for-see myself becoming a bit of a regular. I picked up a delightful teddy bear as a small birthday gift for my Mum, who was pleased as punch, and I've got my eye on their beautiful umbrellas! The prices are fair for the overall quality, as far as I can see, and the staff were very friendly. Lovely jubbly!

Brian's is what I imagine to be a typical market florist - a stall selling a range of brightly…read morecoloured flowers emitting a gorgeous, refreshing scent into their modest surroundings. Brian's actually sells more flowers and a wider variety than most florist shops, which oddly I feel tend to be a bit minimalist flower-wise. The flowers here look happy and healthy and are affordably priced. There is a nice range to suit most tastes, though nothing particularly exotic or unusual. They also sell a small range of pretty pot plants. If you're looking for a reasonably priced gift or want to brighten up a dull room, Brian's Florist may well be worth a look.

Brian's is a lovely florists selling not only bunches of flowers but pot plants and herbs. At this…read moretime of year there are plenty of bunches of daffodils for sale and at Brian's they are market price, only £1.50 for 3 bunches, but of quality equal to any fancy shop-florists. A bunch of daffodils is a bunch of daffodils so why pay more? They have neat bunches of roses and pretty bouquets of lilies and other wonderfully colourful flowers that I don't even know the name of. Oh how out of touch we are with nature in this technological age! If you fancy a brush with nature and genuine Yorkshire folk then you can pick up pots of primroses for a mere 50p at Brian's!