St Gemma’s Hospice is expanding its presence at the Merrion Centre, relocating its existing city centre charity shop to a significantly larger, redesigned unit later this month.
The new 3,811 sq ft store will occupy a prominent location at the shopping centre’s main entrance on Merrion Street. Featuring a contemporary layout, the store will stock pre-loved fashion, homeware, children’s toys, and seasonal goods.
The expansion follows the initial launch of St Gemma’s original Merrion Centre store in October 2018. Out of the charity’s 27 retail outlets across Leeds and the surrounding areas, the Merrion Centre remains its sole city centre footprint. The relocation aims to capitalise on strong footfall from local residents, office workers, and the city’s student population ahead of the autumn university intake.
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“St Gemma’s has become a much-loved part of the Merrion Centre since opening here in 2018, so we are delighted to support the charity with the next stage of its growth,” said Charles Newman, Asset Management Director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre.
“The store appeals to the incredibly diverse mix of people who visit every day, from students and city centre workers to residents, families and visitors to Leeds,” Newman added. “In particular, we know our student customers love discovering great pre-loved fashion, and being able to do that while supporting such an important local cause makes the offer even more compelling.”
Jane Kent, Head of Retail at St Gemma’s Hospice, commented: “Since opening in 2018, our Merrion Centre shop has built a fantastic following and demonstrated just how much appetite there is in the city centre for high-quality pre-loved shopping. The larger space will allow us to offer an even greater range in a bright, colourful and contemporary environment. Every purchase and donation to our shops helps support the care provided by St Gemma’s Hospice.”
The store is expected to open during the third week of September 2026.
