Leicester Shopping and Districts

(Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK)

Whether you are a follower of fashion or simply someone who enjoys an afternoon of retail therapy, everyone will agree that the shopping available in Leicester is exceptional and the best that Leicestershire has to offer. With modern malls, brand-name department stores, independent boutiques and award-winning markets, the shopping options in Leicester certainly are numerous.

The spectacular Highcross Leicester shopping complex stands in the heart of the city, on Eastgates and the High Street, and opened in 1991. Formerly known as the Shires and revamped and extended at the cost of some £350 million, the Highcross is a spacious indoor mall, with two floors, a glass ceiling and more than 125 shops. The main anchor stores at the Highcross centre include Debenhams, the House of Fraser and John Lewis.

Where to Shop

The Haymarket is another very noteworthy shopping centre and is easy to find, being close to the Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower and bordered by Belgrave Gate (north), Charles Street (east) and the Humberstone Gate area (south).

Opened in the mid-1970s and sited alongside the Curve Theatre, the Leicester Haymarket centre is home to many familiar chain stores, such as Boots the Chemist, the Body Shop, H&M, Peacock and Primark, as well as an outlet of Tesco Express.

At the opposite end of the shopping spectrum, the Leicester Lanes and St. Martin's Square are much more low-key in their appearance, with cobblestone lanes and quirky specialist outlets, such as gift shops and trendy jewellers. For unbeatable atmosphere and bargains, be sure to check out the Leicester Market, on the southern side of the clock tower, which is open Monday to Saturday, boasts almost 300 markets stalls and has origins in the late 12th century.

Many locals prefer to head to Fosse Park, which ranks amongst the UK's largest out-of-town shopping parks. Just a short drive from Leicester, Fosse Park is located off the M1 motorway (junction 21), on the Fosse Park Avenue, and comes with 2,500 free parking spaces.