The Corn Exchange, Leeds

I had a much needed trip to Leeds city centre to stock up on a few things that can only be found in the city stores. I've only been there once in the past two years. It felt surprisingly intrepid to be on a train again, pacing the malls and sitting in coffee shops with a lot of other people, after months of mostly avoiding crowds. Many folk had clearly had the same idea to fill a very rainy day with a trip to the shops. I still wear a mask in busy places, despite them no longer being mandatory. Lots of people don't! Hopefully I will survive unscathed... 

Halifax has its Piece Hall, Bradford its Wool Exchange and Leeds has a Corn Exchange. Opened in 1863, it was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, who was also responsible for Leeds Town Hall. It was, of course, originally used by merchants trading in grain, with a large circular trading floor and numerous small offices around it. Refurbished in 2008 and again more recently, it now holds a variety of small independent shops and food outlets. It is wonderfully colourful, though even with a wide angle iPhone lens it's hard to capture the sense of space and the soaring domed roof. 

Many of the shop are are a bit arty and quirky. There was actually a queue of clients at the piercing studio - and no, I don't mean this chap! I don't think people were having to wait quite that long! 

It's a splendid and impressive building on the outside too, though long-running redevelopment work to the areas around means it's currently impossible to get a photo without including barriers and signage.