News
News
K-pop Korner to Launch First Yorkshire Store at Merrion
Tue 19 May, 2026
New destination to offer exclusive merchandise, fan events and immersive community experiences
The Merrion Centre is set to welcome one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialist music retailers as K-pop Korner opens its first Yorkshire location this May.
Officially soft launching on 22 May 2026, K-pop Korner Leeds will open as an initial pop-up store, becoming the brand’s fourth UK location and its first in the North of England. The new arrival will bring K-pop Korner’s unique blend of merchandise, fan culture and community events to Leeds city centre.
Recognised as the UK’s leading dedicated K-pop retailer and the country’s only multi-location K-pop store, K-pop Korner stocks official K-pop albums, exclusive merchandise, signed albums, lightsticks and rare collectibles imported directly from Korea.
Alongside retail, the brand has developed a strong national following through fan events, trading days, concerts and exclusive product launches.
The Leeds opening follows the success of K-pop Korner’s existing stores in London Waterloo, London Euston and Nottingham, with growing demand from fans across Yorkshire and the wider North driving the expansion.
Anastasia Tsappis, Director of K-pop Korner, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to bring K-pop Korner to Leeds and finally create a dedicated space for fans in Yorkshire and the North of England. Community has always been at the heart of what we do, and we’re looking forward to building a welcoming environment where fans can meet, discover new merchandise, celebrate their favourite artists and enjoy special events together.
“Our community has been asking for a more accessible location outside London and the Midlands for a long time, so Leeds felt like the natural next step. The Merrion Centre stood out because of its vibrant atmosphere, fantastic city-centre location and strong connection to entertainment and youth culture.”
To celebrate the new store launch, K-pop Korner will host special events. Stray Kids event with exclusive merch, signed album event, and Xikers hello82 exclusive event, bringing fans together for an immersive K-pop experience.
The launch weekend will feature new merchandise releases, fan-focused activities and opportunities for visitors to connect with fellow K-pop enthusiasts.
Tsappis added:
“We want the opening to feel like more than just a store launch. It’s about celebrating K-pop fandom and creating memorable experiences for the local community. We’re especially excited to see fans come together for our opening events and experience the energy and excitement that makes K-pop culture so special.”
The new opening will also create local employment opportunities, with K-pop Korner recruiting part-time team members ahead of launch. Interested applicants can apply via careers@kpopkorner.com.
Leila Fell, Apprentice Asset Manager for Town Centre Securities PLC, owners of the Merrion Centre, added:
“K-pop continues to grow in popularity across the UK, particularly among younger audiences, so we’re delighted to welcome K-pop Korner to the Merrion Centre. The brand offers a unique mix of retail and community experiences that complements our existing line-up of leisure, entertainment and lifestyle operators, and we’re confident it will prove hugely popular with visitors from across the region.”
The opening event on 22 May is expected to attract K-pop fans from across Yorkshire and beyond, further strengthening Leeds’ reputation as a destination for youth culture, entertainment and independent retail experiences.