Art By Arjo Opens a Leeds Art Shop in the Corn Exchange
Opening My First Art Shop in Leeds Corn Exchange: The Journey and the First 6 Weeks
For years, Art By Arjo has lived online. I’ve sent hand-drawn stadium and landmark prints to customers all over the world, but I’d never had a place where people could walk in, see the work in person and chat about it. Six weeks ago that changed. I opened my first physical art shop in the Leeds Corn Exchange, and I want to share how it came together and how it’s going.
Why I Wanted a Physical Art Shop in Leeds
Selling online has been brilliant, and I’m grateful to the thousands of customers who’ve bought my prints. But a screen can’t show you the detail in a hand-drawn piece. Every stadium, skyline and university building is drawn line by line, and the fine detail is hard to appreciate in a thumbnail.
I wanted people to stand in front of the art, pick up a print and see the difference between sizes. Leeds also felt like the right home being from here and lived in the city for over 20 years now.
Why the Leeds Corn Exchange?
The Corn Exchange is one of the most beautiful buildings in Leeds, and one of the best-known places for independent shopping in the city. Its domed ceiling is stunning, and it’s home to around 50 small, unique independent businesses. I wanted Art By Arjo to sit among them, in a building people visit to discover something different rather than just shop the high street.
My shop is on The Balcony of the Corn Exchange (LS1 7BR), so it’s a lovely spot to browse above the main floor.
The Process: From Idea to Opening Day
Going from an online brand to a physical shop took more planning than I expected. Here’s roughly how it went:
1. Finding and securing the unit. This process has taken a Long time researching areas, prices, and for availability to be right and timing to be!
2. Planning the layout. With over 400 original designs, deciding what to show and how was a big challenge. I wanted the full collection on display under one roof for the first time, without it feeling cluttered.
3. Framing and stock. Every print is available from A5 up to A1, framed or unframed, so I had to prepare a lot of stock in a lot of sizes.
4. Setting up the display. As well as the prints, I put some of my original artworks on show so people can see and buy the real thing. I also added a small display of the Winsor & Newton pens and pencils I use for every piece, so visitors can see the tools behind the artwork.
5. Getting ready to open. There was a lot of last minute rush as I had booked in our summer family holiday the two weeks before we opened, timing! So the las t few days involved a lot of hands on deck from family and friends!
What’s Inside the Shop
If you’re planning a visit, this is what you’ll find:
The full Art By Arjo collection: 400+ hand-drawn pieces, including football stadiums, city landmarks, universities and historic venues
Prints from A5 to A1: small gifts through to bold statement pieces
Framed or unframed options: ready to hang or ready to take to your own framer
Original artworks: one-of-a-kind pieces you can own
My art tools on display: a glimpse into how each drawing is made
You can also browse the full range in the Arjo Online Shop before you visit.
How the First 6 Weeks Have Gone
It’s been a great start, lots of new customers and visitors from all different countries, actually our first ever customer was from Brussels!
The best part has been meeting people face to face. Online, I rarely see someone’s reaction when they spot a print of their team’s ground or the university they graduated from. In the shop I see it every day.
Visit the Art Shop in Leeds Corn Exchange
If you’re looking for gifts in Leeds, a personal print for your home, or just a nice browse among the independent shops, come and say hello.
Art By Arjo, Leeds Flagship Shop
The Balcony, Corn Exchange, Leeds, LS1 7BR
[Opening hours: add here]
Find out more on the Leeds Shop page, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for updates from the shop.
Thank you to everyone who has visited, supported and shared the news. This is only the beginning.