Leah’s Yard celebrates Sheffield’s independent businesses this festive season

Independent traders and creators across Sheffield are being offered the chance to secure city-centre retail space as Leah’s Yard prepares to launch its Christmas programme.

Leah's Yard is gearing up to launch a season of independent shopping, local makers and festive cheer, with its iconic Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 13 November | Leah's Yard Ltd.

placeholder image — Leah's Yard is gearing up to launch a season of independent shopping, local makers and festive cheer, with its iconic Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 13 November | Leah's Yard Ltd.

The Grade II* listed complex in the heart of Sheffield will kick off the festive season on Friday, November 13, with the lighting of its central Christmas tree, handpicked from Whirlow Hall Farm. The evening switch-on will feature seasonal food and hot drinks from resident vendors alongside the debut of two dedicated retail schemes created to support emerging local businesses.

Among the opportunities is the ‘Under the Stairs’ pop-up, which will operate across weekends throughout the holidays, utilising the building's distinctive architecture to display independent goods.

An ‘Under the Stairs’ pop-up will provide a platform for independent retailers and makers to sell their goods within Leah’s Yard. | Leah's Yard Ltd.

In addition, the venue will partner with Sheffield City Council’s business support service for the Business Sheffield Pop-Up Store. Scheduled to run on Fridays and Saturdays from November 20 to December 24, the initiative provides a temporary physical shopfront for emerging creatives. The project previously supported 31 local retailers in 2025, welcoming more than 8,000 visitors over 16 days.

Organisers have confirmed that spaces remain available across both pop-up programmes, with local businesses encouraged to register their interest before the season begins.

Tom Wolfenden, director of Leah’s Yard, said: “By bringing established independents together with emerging makers, Leah’s Yard is helping to nurture local talent, encourage entrepreneurship and keep the city’s independent high street thriving. For any sellers and makers that want to be a part of our pop-up events, please just get in touch - a few spots remain.

“We can’t wait for the festive season to begin, marked by our Christmas tree lights switch-on - an event that showcases the vibrancy of our community of food and drink specialists, artists, makers, creatives and entertainers. Leah’s Yard will be buzzing with independents this year, and city centre shoppers are in for a real treat.”