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Trendy menswear and streetwear store HIP is set to close in Leeds

Its days are numbered

Daisy Jackson - 29th April 2026

HIP, Leeds' achingly cool menswear and streetwear shop, is set to close its doors this summer.

The Vicar Lane retailer is set to shutter its doors in June, making way for Size? to move in.

Rumours of HIP's closure have been swirling for months, but parent company JD Sports has remained tight-lipped on its future.

But staff have today confirmed to The Hoot that the space will cease trading as HIP around the end of June.

After that, HIP will only be available online, with the beautiful unit on Vicar Lane in Leeds taken over by fellow JD-owned retailer Size?

HIP will also close its Manchester store around the same time, which took over the iconic Oi Polloi site in the Northern Quarter in 2023.

The brand was first founded as an independent menswear store in Leeds back in 1987, stocking a mix of sportswear and streetwear.

Brands stocked in store these days include Salomon, New Balance, Carhartt WIP, Stone Island, and New Balance.

HIP's product launches have often had queues down the street in Leeds, but it will close for good at the end of June.

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Shopping

Claire’s shutting down all standalone shops in UK and Ireland

Danny Jones Claire's shutting down permanently

Claire's shutting down permanently

In another hit to the high streets, Claire's Accessories is shutting up shop across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration yet again.

Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire's will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.

A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.

Once a mainstay up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.

In case you haven't heard about the latest hit to the high street. 😢https://t.co/65x9fDNa4c
— The Manc (@TheMancUK) April 28, 2026

Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire's closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.

With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.

Founded in America way back in 1961, Claire's has enjoyed a presence across the Atlantic for more than three decades.

However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they've struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.

They filed for bankruptcy in the US in August 2025 after having already concluded operations in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Credit: Savills

For many, the outcome isn't all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.

It is also worth noting, on the other hand, that an estimated 350 concession stands within the likes of Asda supermarkets will remain open - at least for now.

More importantly, it's never good to see people being made redundant, and we send all of our love and support to those impacted by the developments.

Do you have any lasting memories of visits to Claire's here in Yorkshire?

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Featured Images — chrisinplymouth (via Flickr)

Shopping

Inside Leeds’ brand-new LEGO store, with Yorkshire-inspired builds and brick pick’n’mix

You are literally never too old to get excited about LEGO - especially when there’s a new store like this in Leeds.

Now open inside Trinity Leeds, you’ll find special Yorkshire-inspired builds, like this giant cup of tea and even an owl.

There’s also a LEGO Pick-a-brick wall - basically a giant pick'n'mix where you can grab all the bricks you need to finish your masterpiece.

There are all your favourite LEGO ranges too, like Disney and Star Wars, including a Star Wars piece worth almost £900.

On top of that, you'll find things like a World Cup trophy, Nike trainers, and LEGO flowers that will last a lifetime, plus blind boxes with collectible characters inside.

Don’t leave without creating your own Minifigure so you’ve got a little pocket-sized bestie to take home with you.

The 456sq m store gives shoppers the chance to fully immerse themselves in the world of LEGO building.

The brick pick'n'mix wall at LEGO Leeds

Inside the new LEGO store — The brick pick'n'mix wall at LEGO Leeds

There will also be free build challenges and events in-store, plus ‘Brick Specialists' on hand to offer expert advice.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “The new LEGO store is bigger and better than ever before with some incredible interactive elements that will allow creativity and imaginations to flourish.

"As the only LEGO store in West Yorkshire, it has already proved incredibly popular here at Trinity Leeds, and this new store will bring even more of what LEGO fans love.”

The all-new LEGO store is open now at Trinity Leeds.

Read more: Huge outdoor bar Thor’s Tipi is returning to Leeds next month

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds