Feature Happy Twentieth Anniversary Victoria Quarter
As the Victoria Quarter prepares to celebrate 20 years since it first opened its doors, we thought we'd give you a little glimpse of what the area was like in bygone times…
Feature: Happy Twentieth Anniversary Victoria Quarter
Leeds’ Victoria Quarter is so seamlessly slick it beggars belief that it was ever anything other than home to some of the most spectacular shops in the country.
But the area that now boasts names like Harvey Nichols, Agent Provocateur, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith had a much more humble start in life.
The area’s early history goes back over 200 years to the first half of the 19th century. Back then you couldn’t purchase designer handbags or sparkling jewels – instead you could browse the lively mass of bloody slaughterhouses, loud-mouthed butchers and overflowing fruit and vegetable stalls.
These “businesses” thrived until the area was cleared by the Leeds Estate around 1900. It was then that Frank Matcham, a renowned Victorian architect, was brought in. He set about designing an elaborate arcade for the people of Leeds.
He chose exceptional materials like rich marble, gilded mosaics, handsome cast and wrought iron, as well as carved and polished mahogany. With these, he created two streets, an arcade and the Empire Theatre (which has since become the site of Harvey Nichols).
In the intervening years, the area lost its way and became rather derelict. By the 1980s the site was a shadow of its former self. What a waste! However, after an extensive refurbishment by the Prudential in the late 1980s, the space returned to its Victorian splendour.
The new Victoria Quarter opened its doors on September 1st 1990.
Its reputation developed steadily over the next six years, but undoubtedly it was the arrival of Harvey Nichols in 1996 that put VQ on the map. It was the first Harvey Nichols store outside London and has gone on to become perhaps the most successful store in their group.
Since then other leading brands have followed – Louis Vuitton, Jo Malone, L K Bennett, Mulberry and Nicky Clarke Salon to mention only a few, more than justifying the centre’s moniker, “Knightsbridge of the North”.
And there are plenty of independent stores too, like jewellers Phillip Stoner, Teddy & Co, Opposite Café and Anthony’s Patisserie. There’s always something different to be found!
One of the highlights of the VQ calendar is the annual Shopping Affair event, held in October each year – last year it attracted over 9,500 people. This year it is taking place on October 14th and the theme will be the centre’s 20th birthday celebration. All VQ’s 76 stores will be open from 6-9pm with offers and discounts. There will be great entertainment on the night and a prize draw – we wouldn’t mind winning some VQ shopping vouchers!
And to really prove the point that VQ has entered the 21st century and left its shadowy past behind, it has recently launched its own iPhone and iPod Touch App – the first centre in the UK to do so. With the free App you can keep up-to-date with offers and news from the centre, as well as having full store listings, contact details and weblinks.
VQ, you are really spoiling us…
Posted on Wednesday 18th August 2010
SH
Victoria Quarter
4 Cross Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6AZ
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