Lillywhites was part of the late-1990s shopping boom which saw the arrival of Harvey Nichols and the multi-million pound revamp of the Victoria Quarter. At the time the company said the Leeds store - Lillywhites’ largest outside of London and covering four storeys - would be the prototype for its expansion across Europe. Bosses described the opening of the outlet on the former Schofields site in the Headrow shopping centre in 1996 as “the most important and exciting event to happen to Lillywhites since the company was established in 1893.” Sports giant Nike invested $500,000 in setting up a Nike Town outlet. The store also originally featured a themed sports cafe with state-of-the-art viewing screens, but that closed within a couple of years. Lillywhites closed in 2002. READ MORE: 31 Leeds restaurants you may remember from the 1990s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![Sumo wrestlers, Steve Pattern (left) and George Chambers battle it out in front visitors to the new store in October 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDAz.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
1. Lillywhites memories
Sumo wrestlers, Steve Pattern (left) and George Chambers battle it out in front visitors to the new store in October 1996.Photo: Charles Knight
![Leeds United striker Ian Rush visited the store in October 1996. He is pictured shaing hands wirh Kully Kaur from Beeston.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDA0.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
2. Lillywhites memories
Leeds United striker Ian Rush visited the store in October 1996. He is pictured shaing hands wirh Kully Kaur from Beeston.Photo: Justin Lloyd
![England and Yorkshire cricket star, Darren Gough, signs autographs for fans in October 1996. He is pictured with young Garforth Cricket Club players, Daniel Mann (left) and James Fender.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDA1.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
3. Lillywhites memories
England and Yorkshire cricket star, Darren Gough, signs autographs for fans in October 1996. He is pictured with young Garforth Cricket Club players, Daniel Mann (left) and James Fender.Photo: Dan Oxtoby
![One of the departments pictured in October 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDA2.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
![Colin Montgomerie visited Lillywhites in October 1996 to sign autographs and answer any question on golf. He is pictured with Hannah Goodall.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDA5.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Lillywhites memories
Colin Montgomerie visited Lillywhites in October 1996 to sign autographs and answer any question on golf. He is pictured with Hannah Goodall.Photo: James Hardisty
![Lillywhites manager Bruce Milton presents competition winners with their prizes in July 2000.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIyNzE2MDE3.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Lillywhites memories
Lillywhites manager Bruce Milton presents competition winners with their prizes in July 2000.Photo: Mark Bickerdike