News
News
Leeds School Uniform Exchange Returns to the Merrion Centre Bigger and Better for 2026
Wed 08 Jul, 2026
The Merrion Centre is proud to announce the return of the Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop this summer with a significantly expanded offer to support families across the city ahead of the new school year.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, this year’s pop-up will feature a larger retail space, more stock available to give away, and an extended schedule of opening dates throughout the school holidays, making it easier than ever for families to access free, good-quality school uniforms at a time when household costs remain high.
A New Model for Independent Retail
The initiative, which is run by Leeds charity Wear and Share Leeds promotes sustainability and community support, providing pre-loved school uniforms at no cost and with no referral required.
The pop-up forms part of the growing city-wide movement led by the Leeds Uniform Exchange encouraging families to reuse school uniform rather than buy new.
With recent figures from the Department for Education showing the average cost of a full school uniform and PE kit at £442 for secondary school pupils and £343 for primary pupils, the scheme provides vital support to families across Leeds.
Tracy Morgan, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said:
“Over the years, our community’s support has been incredible. By sharing pre-loved uniform, we’ve been able to help so many families and reduce textile waste at the same time.
“This year, with a bigger presence in the city centre, we hope to reach even more families.”
Families can simply drop in, browse, and take what they need. Items typically include shirts, polos, trousers, skirts, blazers and jumpers; P.E. kits; shoes and accessories (subject to availability). All items are sorted by size and school where possible. Uniform donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the pop-up during opening hours.
Debbie Binnersley, co-manager, added: “The Leeds School Uniform Exchange has already made a real difference for thousands of families, saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Expanding the Merrion Centre pop-up means we can go even further this summer.”
A New Model for Independent Retail
Last year, the Merrion Centre hosted 10 pop-up events, welcoming 319 families and distributing 2,570 items of free school uniform. In 2026, the initiative will deliver at least 15 events, with the potential for additional dates, helping significantly more families prepare for the new school term.
Charlotte-Daisy Leeming, head of ESG at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the Leeds School Uniform Exchange to the Merrion Centre for 2026, bigger and better than before. By increasing the size of the unit, extending the number of dates and growing the volume of stock available, we’re able to support even more families while continuing to champion sustainability, which isa key priority for us and our communities.”
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop can be found on the upper balcony level within The Merrion Centre and will run on selected dates from July 22 – August 29, from 10am-3pm.