7 Best Places to Go Shopping in Leicester

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 jewelers 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 candy stores where you can pick up authentic Indian treats like gulab jamun, or golden dumplings soaked in rosewater and spice-infused syrup.

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 center, you’ll find the Leicester Corn Exchange, which served as a trading center 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.

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 Movie theater de Lux movie theater with ultramodern sound and digital technology as well as high-end facilities like a Director’s Hall and Director’s Lounge.

Haymarket Shopping Center 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 grocery stores. 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 Center is just west of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, about a 10-minute walk of the Curve Theater and St George's Church.

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.

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.

Jewelry stores are plentiful at The Lanes, one of which is Lanes Fine Jewelry – the official jeweler to the Leicester City Soccer 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.

St Martin’s Square is a historic shopping spot surrounded by Leicester’s iconic buildings, including King Richard III Visitor Center 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 1-time clothes and accessories, while Rockaboom in Malcolm Arcade specializes in new and second-hand vinyl records. St Martin’s Square also has cozy cafés where you can rest your feet, including Mrs Bridges Tea Rooms and St Martins Coffee Shop.