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A vintage kilo sale shop with ‘live window models’ is opening in Leeds
After a long Covid-related hiatus, the company is now seeing a massive influx of new customers who want to shop for affordable, sustainable vintage clothing.
Fourteen years after deciding that vintage clothes should be sold dependent on their weight, Shop Kilo, allegedly the first kilo sale operator, is opening a store in Leeds.
The Merrion Centre in the heart of the Arena Quarter will host a pop-up store for the vintage clothes store for the foreseeable and will be the first long-term shop for the brand.
Image: Shop Kilo
The original kilo store broke the boundaries of normal retail when it launched its 'buy by weight' events 14 years ago.
After a long Covid-related hiatus, the company is now seeing a massive influx of new customers who want to shop for affordable, sustainable vintage clothing.
As a size and age inclusive brand, the 'weigh by kilo' clothing store is looking for ‘live window models’ for their opening. Auditions will take place on the main mall at the Merrion Centre on Friday 4March between 11am-3pm and the chosen winners becoming ‘live-in models’ that will represent their potential customer demographic.
Founded in 2008 by fashion stylist and former Selfridges personal shopper Judy Berger, the main ethos of Shop Kilo is to help others to live sustainably and believing in using the clothes of the past to protect the future.
Judy Berger, Director of Shop Kilo, promises exciting things to come for the first pop-up:
"We are super excited to announce the launch of Shop Kilo in The Merrion Centre. Our company has always been events based and we can see crowds of up to 1500 people per day all over the country. We are Leeds born and bred and we knew that to set down roots, we need to set our flagship up in our home town.
"The Merrion Centre staff share our vision of sustainable retail and we are both working together to create a shopping environment that doesn’t damage the planet. Circular retail is the future of shopping and [the new kilo store] is perfect for guilt-free shopping.”
Image: Shop Kilo
Esme Briggs, Graduate Asset Manager for Town Centre Securities (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre commented:
“We are delighted to announce Shop Kilo is coming to the Merrion Centre as it mirrors our own sustainable ethos which is high on our agenda. More and more consumers have become ‘greener’ in their shopping choices"
"The brand will benefit hugely from the massive influx of student accommodation around the centre; a demographic that continuously looks for more environmentally friendly shops that offer affordable products."
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024.
We are so, so back.
It's been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a small selection of UK gigs for later in the year including a homecoming gig at the O2 Academy on Friday 6 November.
The dates follow the band’s first show of the year at the 6Music Festival this Friday across The Pennines in Manchester.
After Leeds, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Friday 13 November before making their way down south to the O2 Academy in Brixton on Thursday 26 November.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album Where’s My Utopia? with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August 2024.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy. It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have remained active, whether writing Where’s My Utopia’s follow-up on scratching the itch to get back on stage, heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives, which was preceded by an intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to the Autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait.
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday 27 March. Sign up here.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Sophie Smith -
25th February 2022 
