Top Student Cities for Shopping in 2025

1. Liverpool #

Straight in at the top spot, students agree that Liverpool can’t be beaten when it comes to the best shopping cities in the UK. The city has a little bit of everything, from luxury brands to high street retailers and quirky boutiques. 

Liverpool ONE is a popular destination for shoppers and one of the best shopping centres in the UK, with over 170 stores, bars and restaurants – as well as a cinema, mini golf and five-acre park. 

For boutique brands, shoppers could head to Metquarter, a shopping centre in the heart of the city and home to iconic local outfits such as Tribal Society and Transalpino. 

Bold Street is one of the city’s most vibrant shopping streets, with an interesting mix of independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. A local tip: if you start at St. Luke’s church, you’ll be walking downhill towards the city centre – rather than trudging uphill the opposite way while loaded down with shopping bags. 

One student describes Liverpool as “an electric city full of nightlife, delicious restaurants and great shopping. Liverpool ONE is every shoppers dream, there are so many shops and restaurants, you will spend HOURS there. Liverpool has great public transport links and whenever you need a break from city life the likes of the huge Sefton park is a short bus journey away. You can never be bored living in Liverpool and even on a budget there is plenty to do including visiting the many free museums and taking in the beautiful docks.”

2. Leeds#

Coming in at second place, Leeds is widely regarded as one of the best shopping cities in the UK. Perfectly compact, the entire city centre is easily walkable with everything in reach. 

Discover over 120 shops at Trinity Leeds shopping centre, including plenty of big names such as H&M, Mango and Urban Outfitters. The Grade I-listed Kirkgate Market is an iconic fixture in the city, with a mixture of street food, groceries, textiles and fresh flowers across 400 stalls. 

Shoppers looking for a bit of luxury can head to Victoria Leeds shopping centre or Harvey Nichols, while those seeking out independent labels could check out the beautifully restored Corn Exchange. 

Vintage-lovers also have plenty of options in Leeds, with a range of retro shops such as BEST, Chinese Laundry, and Blue Rinse. 

A StudentCrowd reviewer commented “I’ve been studying in Leeds for three years now and find it super easy to get around and there are plenty of places on every street to eat as well as multiple shopping centres around the city. The buses in between all these are very frequent as well.”

3. Belfast #

Rounding off the top three, Belfast is known as offering one of the best shopping places in the UK for clothes. 

Designer devotees can shop ‘til they drop at Victoria Square Shopping Centre, with luxury brands, beauty and homeware, while CastleCourt is home to over 50 high street stores including New Look, TK Maxx and Argos. 

Looking for something a bit different? Have a wander around On the Square Emporium, a delightfully quirky spot with over 12,000 square feet of antiques, vintage, industrial and urban salvage homewares. 

Alternatively, head down to St George’s market, which is the city’s last surviving Victorian covered market. Only open Friday-Sunday, visitors can pick up a tasty bite to eat, artisanal crafts, clothes, books and antiques. 

“Belfast is perfect for little pubs and shopping. It’s small and homey. It’s hard to not like Belfast or feel unwelcome,” one student told us. 

5. Southampton#

With a huge range of shops across all budgets, Southampton was bound to make the list of good cities for shopping in the UK. 

In the heart of the city, Westquay shopping centre is your destination for high street brands. Shops include John Lewis, Apple and Victoria’s Secret. If you need a break from shopping, catch a film at Showcase Cinema de Lux or bowl a strike at Hollywood Bowl. 

Looking for a bargain? Drop into The Marlands Shopping Centre for discount retailers such as Savers and Poundland, as well as plenty of independent outfits. 

For artisanal goods, check out Southampton General Market on High Road, which hosts a different themed market every week, including an antiques and collectibles market, a vintage and retro market and an arts and crafts market. 

Whatever you’re passionate about, Southampton is also home to plenty of hidden gems. Music lovers can head to Vinilo Record Store on Queensway, while bookworms will get a kick out of October Books on Portswood Road and vintage style icons will find plenty to rummage through at Beatnik Emporium on Above Bar Street. 

A student at Southampton told us that, “with Westquay shopping center a short distance from Highfield campus, plenty of shops and restaurants await for you to try. While the cost of living can be quite expensive (especially if driving a car), the facilities of the city are great!”.

7. Newcastle upon Tyne#

From ultra-modern shopping centres to independent boutiques, Newcastle is home to plenty of famous UK shopping streets. 

Northumberland Street is the city’s main shopping area, a pedestrianised street lined with shops including TK Maxx and Primark, as well as local department store Fenwick. Popular with buskers and street musicians, this is shopping that comes with a soundtrack. 

Head to the historic Gray Street to soak up the neoclassical architecture while browsing its boutiques. Central Arcade is located in the same district, with high-end independent shops alongside JG Windows, a music store that’s been around since 1908. 

Just south of the River Tyne in Gateshead, you’ll find Metrocentre – the largest indoor mall-style shopping centre in Europe and one of the best shopping centres UK. With over 270 stores, 60 eateries and a range of leisure activities, there’s lots to discover. 

One student commented that, “personally, I think it is the best city in the country. Plenty of places to eat out, the night life is really good, retail shopping is really good and there is the Metrocentre that has even more shops.”

8. Manchester#

For anyone wondering where to go shopping in the UK, Manchester easily makes the top ten. 

Market Street is one of the city’s busiest shopping roads, with all sorts of big name brands – including Primark, H&M and Uniqlo. Also on Market Street, you’ll find Manchester Arndale, a huge shopping centre with a variety of major retailers. And Selfridges is just a short stroll away for luxury fashion, accessories, homewares and tech. 

Anyone seeking out vintage pieces has plenty of options in the city centre, from Bare Necessities right by the University of Manchester for pre-loved fashion to the wonderfully offbeat Empire Exchange, a second-hand collectibles shop stuffed with nostalgic gems including vinyl, CDs, comic books and trinkets. 

Finally, no shopping trip to Manchester would be complete without a visit to the iconic Afflecks, an indoor market in the Northern Quarter that’s famous for its indie brands, vintage fashion and alternative clothing. 

“There are so many transport links in Manchester that you can easily access. The shopping centres have everything you need and the cafes and restaurants are quirky and unique,” explained one of our respondents. 

10. Bristol #

We round off our list of good cities for shopping in the UK in Bristol. Bristol Shopping Quarter is home to hundreds of big-name brands, independent retailers and vintage stores. Cabot Circus shopping centre is right in the heart of the area, with a huge selection of stylish shops under its striking glass-domed roof. 

Travel outside the city centre to Clifton Village for high-end boutiques in pretty surroundings. If you’re there on a Saturday, pop over to Whiteladies Road Market for a delicious selection of organic fruit and veg, baked goodies and more mouthwatering treats. 

The Tobacco Factory on North Street is also well worth a visit. As well as food, drinks, exhibitions and live music, this vibrant hub hosts a weekly Sunday market. 

One student describes Bristol as “such a cool city with a range of fun activities  – vintage clothes/charity shopping, multiple coffee shops/brunch spots, a variety of clubs for people with different music tastes, free museums and comedy nights.”