Retail space offering an escape and solace in very heart of city

A multi-purpose space in Leeds city centre is offering visitors a sanctuary amidst the relentlessness of day-to-day life.

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Sonder, in the Grand Arcade, opened in November 2023 and includes a café as well as an immersive selection of interior and lifestyle products. There's also an event space - used most-recently to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Venue and events manager Grace Phillip spoke to the YEP's Charles Gray

A quick appraisal suggests Sonder offers a destination in its own right, right in the heart of Leeds off New Briggate?

"We are always trying to make it so that visiting Sonder is a key part of the day for people who come here," explained Grace.

And that's important to you, to Sonder?

"I think it's so important to connect to people in real life and we really want to be a spot where people can do that."

And it's quite a change from what it used to be, isn't it?

"The event space was initially a tattoo studio owned by Olivia Fayne Wright, who co-founded Sonder with her husband David Wright. She said that they wanted to create a 'wellness hub' and 'lifestyle store."

So, a completely different vibe?