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."
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Sophie Smith -
25th February 2022 
