Leicester has enough shops and stalls to suit every budget, with highlights including an open-air market where vendors sell handmade and imported goods. The city has a very vibrant arts scene, resulting in a high concentration of quirky boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, and gift shops.

Leicester city centre is where you can find shopping malls that have world-renowned brands and chain restaurants. If you want a laidback shopping experience, leafy suburbs like Stoneygate have a good mix of independent and branded stores, as well as cosy cafés and local pubs. Check out our guide to the best places to go shopping in Leicester.

  • 1

    Golden Mile

    A hub for South Indian cuisine, clothing, and gold jewellery

    Golden Mile
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    The Golden Mile is a vibrant stretch of Leicester known for its South Indian shops, restaurants, and community events. Located along Belgrave Road and Melton Road, this area is at its best during Diwali and Christmas celebrations, when the street glows with bright lights.

    The Golden Mile is a hub for Indian jewellers and is one that has the highest concentration of them in the UK. There are plenty of shops selling traditional clothing like salwar kameez and sarees, as well as sweet shops where you can pick up authentic Indian treats like gulab jamun, or golden dumplings soaked in rosewater and spice-infused syrup.

    Location: Belgrave Rd, Leicester LE4 6AS, UK

    Map

    photo by Matt Preston (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 2

    Leicester Market

    A historic open-air marketplace offering fresh produce

    Leicester Market
    • Shoppers

    Leicester Market is one of Europe’s largest outdoor markets, with over 270 stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, clothes, and antiques. The city market has a glassed food hall, where deli traders and butchers offer delicious pork pies, sausages, Red Leicester, and Stilton cheeses.

    At its centre, you’ll find the Leicester Corn Exchange, which served as a trading centre in 1850. It’s now a Wetherspoon pub serving real ales, craft beers and Lavazza coffee. Make sure you set time aside to browse as Leicester Market has about anything you’d want at competitive prices.

    Location: Market Pl, Leicester LE1 5GG, UK

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +44 (0)116 454 3185

    Map

    photo by NotFromUtrecht (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 3

    Highcross Leicester

    A modern shopping complex on Shire Lane

    Highcross Leicester
    • Families
    • Shoppers

    Highcross has among the country's most popular brands under one roof, offering a convenient shopping experience in Leicester. The mall is in the city centre, within a short walk of Leicester Cathedral and The Guildhall Museum.

    Highcross has over 100 shops, with Debenhams and John Lewis & Partners as its anchor tenants. Notable brands include House of Fraser, Mango, and Zara. It's also a hub of quality chain restaurants, including Krispy Kreme, Mission Burrito and Wagamama. The mall has a 12-screen Cinema de Lux movie theatre with ultramodern sound and digital technology as well as high-end facilities like a Director’s Hall and Director’s Lounge.

    Location: 5 Shires Ln, Leicester LE1 4AN, UK

    Open: Monday–Friday from 9.30 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)116 242 8644

    Map

    photo by Mat Fascione (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Haymarket Shopping Centre

    A modern mall with over 65 outlets

    Haymarket Shopping Centre
    • Families
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Haymarket Shopping Centre has been around since 1973, making it one of Leicester’s oldest malls. You can find over 65 stores, ranging from fashion and food outlets to beauty centres and supermarkets. Major stores at Haymarket include Primark, Pandora, H&M and TKMaxx.

    Outside the mall, you can check out historic landmarks such as The Clock Tower and the Hubert Dalwood stainless-steel sculpture. Haymarket Shopping Centre is just west of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, about a 10-minute walk of the Curve Theatre and St George's Church.

    Location: 1 Kildare St, Leicester LE1 3YH, UK

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 7.30 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)116 262 3913

    Map

    photo by The oracle 2015 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 5

    Stoneygate Shops

    Independent stores and eateries outside central Leicester

    Stoneygate Shops
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    The Stoneygate Shops are a cluster of independent businesses within a leafy village of the same name. You can find it less than 2 miles southeast of Leicester city centre, close to the artistic hub of Clarendon Park.

    The Stoneygate Shops consist of vintage boutiques and gift shops, as well as designer outlets, gadget stores, and art galleries. There are also beauty and hair salons if you want to pamper yourself. After a day of shopping, unwind at quaint cafés and bars like Brown’s Cafe Bistro, Timo Restaurant, and The Real Ale Classroom.

    Location: Francis St & Allandale Rd, Stoneygate, Leicester LE2 2BE, UK

    Map

    photo by P L Chadwick (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 6

    The Lanes

    Cobbled streets lined with independent stores

    The Lanes
    • Shoppers

    The Lanes of Leicester is a series of cobbled streets dating back to medieval times. It has a high concentration of independent stores, historic pubs, and tearooms, all within walking distance of Leicester Cathedral, The Clock Tower, and Leicester Market.

    Jewellery stores are plentiful at The Lanes, one of which is Lanes Fine Jewellery – the official jeweller to the Leicester City Football Club. They create bespoke pieces for players and fans alike. If you’re looking for homeware, Pomponette has a wide range of well-curated pieces.

    Map

    photo by NotFromUtrecht (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 7

    St Martins Square

    For a day of shopping at independent stores

    St Martins Square
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    St Martin’s Square is a historic shopping spot surrounded by Leicester’s iconic buildings, including King Richard III Visitor Centre and Leicester Cathedral. This large and picturesque courtyard has dozens of independent businesses, including restaurants, shops, and salons flanking it.

    The Vintage Scene is great for picking up one-off clothes and accessories, while Rockaboom in Malcolm Arcade specialises in new and second-hand vinyl records. St Martin’s Square also has cosy cafés where you can rest your feet, including Mrs Bridges Tea Rooms and St Martins Coffee Shop.

    Location: St Martins Square, Leicester LE1 5DG, UK

    Phone: +44 (0)116 262 6305

    Map

    photo by NotFromUtrecht (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveller