Kirkgate Market

The place to come for bargains on clothing, fresh fish and meat, electronics, world foods and more. Kirkgate is currently undergoing a £13 million revamp (due to be completed in 2016), making it the daddy of Leeds’ markets.

It was opened in 1822 as an open-air market and most people know it, if they know it at all, as the birthplace of Marks & Spencer’s Penny Bazaar, in 1884. Today, it’s the biggest covered market in Europe, with more than 800 stalls, many under the original Victorian structure, selling everything from fresh meat and fish to clothing, household items, mobile phones flowers and everything in between.

In recent years, Polish, African, Chinese, Turkish and Moroccan delis and street food stalls have made an appearance and, every Wednesday morning there’s a colourful Asian bazaar in the outdoor section that sells silks, spices, footwear and jewellery. And if you need to brush up on your culinary skills, Jamie’s Ministry of Food runs inexpensive cookery lessons using simple, fresh ingredients.