The Trinity Shopping centre, now a staple of Leeds city centre boasting a host of shops, often busy and often crowded is a great place to do your weekend errands.
That's what people used to think until recent weeks and months with some shoppers worrying it will soon be a "ghost town" after a number of businesses upped sticks and moved out. I visited the shopping centre - as I often do even just to pass through in the city. Let's not worry, it's not going to be on UK's Most Abandoned just yet.
I had a look around to see how many shops were closed and I counted them all on one hand. I also spoke to a couple of shoppers to see what they think about the idea it may soon be deserted.
Read More: £2M of Class As seized in huge Leeds drugs bust as three arrested
Recently Victoria's Secret and Victoria's Secret Pink made the announcement they would close and leave the Trinity site. This sparked the fears that other shops would follow suit.
Having been I noticed the two above-mentioned businesses are now gone and the old Topshop next to River Island on the second floor is also not replaced, however this closed some time ago.
I think Trinity is a good shopping centre, it has a range of businesses, restaurants and it's all located in one quite easy to reach venue which is easy to get around. I feel there is no chance it will become a ghost town anytime soon.
With the cost of living and rise in rent, it's understandable that businesses could move elsewhere, especially if footfall is down but it's been around for a while and to be honest in all my time living in Leeds it's not changed much.
I asked a couple of shoppers what they thought about the idea. Margaret, 56, who often comes to the centre on weekends from Castleford said: "It's great for people who live outside the city or want to make more of a day visit to Leeds.
"I think it's silly that people aren't using it more and if places do start to leave it will be the shoppers to blame." John, her husband said: "I come here for clothes mainly, usually Next, I don't use many of the other shops but there are places to eat so it's probably more attractive to bigger or younger groups."
There are a great number of local shopping centres but I think Trinity does some things better, for people like me who live in the city, it's great. I used to go to Crown Point or the White Rose as a child before Trinity even existed and just the sheer land mass it takes up means the local authority won't let it disappear.
It's also January, people are out and about a bit less after Christmas. I say give it some time and other businesses will snap up those spots. LeedsLive reached out to Trinity for a comment.
Read Next:
