Zen & Pops – an autism-friendly Leeds toy store 'for every child'

One of Leeds Kirkgate Market's newest stalls is bringing in families from across the city. Zen & Pops, run by Aqeel Zulfiqar, specialises in toys designed to support children with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. His stall, which opened in May near the Vicar Lane entrance, is packed with fidgets, flying machines, Spider-Man toys and spinning chairs - all designed to engage, entertain and support children's development.

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You've been open only since May and already creating a bit of a buzz, and it's easy to see why; everything is hands-on. Children are free to try toys for as long as they like, it seems?

"I'm a big believer in knowing what you're buying," Aqeel told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "Especially kids that have autism or even neurodivergent individuals, they're very unique. One child might absolutely love something where the other child might not like it at all."

Was that, then, the catalyst of an idea for the shop?

"The idea for Zen & Pops began with my own son. I was frustrated with screen time and unimpressed with buying toys online without testing them first... I saw a gap in the market."

Going for a 'test drive'? As you would a car?

"I tried to get [my son] into pretty much any sort of toys: cars, interactive baby toys, or even colouring books. Whenever I did actually go and buy, look for toys, there wasn't anywhere that you could actually try and test before you buy it. A lot of it's online and, with online, you're basically guessing."