Premium brands set up shop in city retail destination

Hammerson, owner and manager of Victoria Leeds, has announced two new openings this winter, following a string of high-profile additions this summer.

Cubitts, a creative eyewear specialist known for its stylish and sustainable frames has arrived with its first store in the North.

The business has also partnered with Village Books to curate rotating literature for customers from coffee table books to magazines and pamphlets.

North Star Coffee will also provide complimentary beverages, while a Cubitts beer has been created in collaboration with Leeds brewer, Northern Monk.

Castle Fine Art, which specialises in original and limited edition artwork and sculptures, is opening a new gallery at Victoria Leeds, relocating from County Arcade.

Spread over 4,000 sq ft the gallery allows for more exhibition and event space to showcase the works of artists such as Richard Hambleton, “the godfather of street art”; Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan; and actor turned visual artist Sir Billy Connolly.

The latest openings at Victoria Leeds follow the recent arrival of luxury jewellers, Boodles, which opens just before Christmas, as well as fashion favourite Kate Spade, premium footwear brand Carvela – which is owned by Kurt Geiger – and L’Occitane, which recently upsized to a larger unit.

Jo Coburn, general manager of Victoria Leeds, said: “Cubitts is just the type of brand that will resonate with customers at Victoria Leeds; it’s been able to reimagine the concept of an eyewear store creating something more in keeping with a lifestyle brand.

“We are excited that it will sit alongside the new Castle Fine Art and new openings including Boodles and Kate Spade.

“It is a real testament to the quality and location of Victoria Leeds that luxury brands see the city as key to their expansion plans.”