New ‘premium’ Mini Mall opening at Leeds Merrion Centre with Yorkshire brands and food hall

Mini Mall, a community-led retail concept dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands and creators, is preparing to launch its nearly 5,000 sq ft flagship venue in Leeds city centre.

The 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will operate as a “premium satellite department store”, providing independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.

Opening at the Merrion Centre, the concept complements traditional retail models by offering a “managed, flexible platform that allows brands to focus on growth, customer engagement and product development”.

The venue will bring together “a curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers and street food vendors” under one roof, offering visitors “a dynamic, ever-evolving shopping experience”.

The venue will be operated in partnership with Eventzo, which will manage backend logistics, staffing and day-to-day operations.

Founder Shaz Westfield said: “The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.

“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive.

“We’re delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship.”

The Mini Mall model is designed to act as an economic accelerator for micro-businesses across the region, providing a scalable platform for small brands to test, grow and build customer bases.

Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, said: “What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We’ve always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won’t find elsewhere on the high street.

“The Mini Mall is a natural fit for us. By bringing together a collection of Yorkshire’s independent brands under one roof, it strengthens our commitment to supporting local enterprise while adding another exciting dimension to the centre’s retail and leisure offer.”

Mini Mall will open to the public on Saturday, July 25, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases and the launch of the Mini Food Hall.

Westfield added: “The Merrion Centre’s commitment to independent retail and forward-thinking concepts made it the perfect location for our flagship launch. It gives our traders immediate access to one of the most active city-centre audiences in Leeds.”