By Nathan Spencer, Director at UKREiiF

It’s now the third year Leeds will play host to UKREiiF, but with major growth in our attendance numbers, we thought we’d share some insight to help those who’re new to the city in their quest to explore, while also highlighting a few hidden gems that even the seasoned UKREiiF attendee has yet to come across.

Instagram-able Moments

The Corn Exchange will play host to an official UKREiiF welcome event on Monday, May 20th, put together with the team at Leeds BID and partners. This Grade I listed building has an Italianate style built in stone with a diamond-shaped rustrification and an amazing dome roof inspired by the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. Now under the ownership of property firm Rushbond, the Corn Exchange features numerous independent retailers and food outlets. You’ll be in awe of the amazing Victorian engineering, with the oval dome being a work of art. This is the sort of building that can get anyone excited about the property and construction industries.

Directly outside is ‘Cornucopia’—a huge mural that has been a feature of the site for over 30 years. Painted in 1990, the mural features the Corn Exchange alongside the goddess Cornucopia. It’s one of many murals across the city, with another of my favourites nearby, which depicts something very special to the city: Leeds United. The mural is emblazoned on the side of a 12-metre building featuring ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’ Kalvin Phillips, Lucas Radebe, and Albert Joanneson. It was comissioned by Jay Z’s entertainment brand, Roc Nation, which has invested in Leeds United FC.

Left to right: Corn Exchange, The Cornucopia, Leeds United FC Mural

Heritage and history

If you look out of the Corn Exchange, you’ll see Kirkgate Market, one of Europe’s largest indoor markets and a shopper’s paradise. And there’s a unique piece of history sitting within the walls of the market, which impacts many high streets up and down the country. Marks and Spencer (I bare no relationship, I promise that’s not why I’m plugging it) started their journey in Kirkgate Market back in 1884 as part of the penny bazaar, and they have a stall to this day that is now an exhibition to the public with archived imagery alongside memorabilia, so take a step back in time!

Speaking of shopping, there is some incredible architecture and design throughout Leeds City Centre. My favourites are a number of shopping arcades off the main high street, which filtered out of London in the 18th century as industrialism and imperialism impacted the UK and created a larger middle class. Classical architecture from ancient Greece, Rome, and Islamic architecture can all be found, and these are some of the most exquisite examples in the UK.

Left to right: Marks and Spencers in Kirkgate Market, Victoria Quarter, Thonton’s Arcade

Other hidden gems

There’s a lot more, too! Leeds Art Gallery is one that shouldn’t be ignored. Yorkshire would have finished 12th in the Olympics if they were a country with seven gold medals, and you can still find the golden post boxes still dotted in areas of the city. For food, I’d suggest Livin’ Italy and cocktails Below Stairs. I’d suggest a visit to Tower Works a scheme being brought forward by Ask Real Estate and PATRIZIA – the two historical towers incorporated into the site are exceptional and both inspired by Italian architecture. Leeds Civic Hall is one of my favourite council buildings in the UK. While a walk along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal should be on the list,

And there’s so much more…

We’ve actually just launched a TikTok account—not to bombard you with promotional activity about UKREiiF, but actually to give you information, insight, tips, and tricks about how to best navigate the city and how to make the most out of UKREiiF 2024 and beyond.

Follow us here!

By Nathan Spencer, Director at UKREiiF