Heritage Menswear Brand Skopes to Open Flagship Store in Leeds
A leading UK menswear brand has announced the opening of a new flagship store in Leeds.
Skopes will open its doors in the White Rose Centre on Saturday 28 September.
The new location is the 20th, and largest, bricks-and-mortar store for Skopes, marking a major expansion and simultaneous homecoming for the heritage men’s tailoring brand, which was originally founded in Leeds in 1948.
The new 3,800 sq ft store will offer a full range of menswear including suits, outerwear, shirts, footwear and accessories in a variety of contemporary styles, fits, and colours with sizes from a 34in chest up to 62in.
The store has been several years in the making and mixes the brand’s manufacturing heritage with a modern colour scheme to create a light bright and welcoming environment. The layout eschews typical product categories, instead being organised by clearly defined, yet changing style trends and themes, such as ‘Getting Hitched’ and ‘Ready for the Races’.
The layout includes two large digital screens to immerse customers in visuals with a giant bird’s eye view of Leeds, brand mantras celebrating the suit as an icon across the walls and a bespoke in-store aroma to enhance the overall experience.
To celebrate the grand opening on Saturday, Skopes will host a brunch party open to the public, featuring VIP guests, live entertainment by Leeds singer songwriter Kuill and Britain’s Got Talent magician Luke Lenihan.
Married at First Sight star Matt Jameson is set to cut the ribbon with Skopes CEO Simon Cope. They will be joined at the event by long-standing Skopes customers and sports stars, Kevin Sinfield and Ross McCormack.
The event includes the opportunity to view Skopes’ latest collection and meet with men’s stylist Nick Hems, who will be on hand to provide personalised style advice tailored to formalwear needs, whether it’s for an upcoming event, workwear wardrobe upgrade or simply exploring this season’s trends.
Skopes has a rich history in Leeds, dating back to 1948 when it was founded by Sydney Cope. Today, the brand is led by his grandson, Simon Cope and continues to expand its reach with 19 existing stores and 15 concessions across the UK including Westfield, London, Meadowhall, Sheffield, and the Metro Centre, Newcastle. The brand has plans for further expansion in 2025.
Simon expressed his excitement about the new store: “Leeds is more than the place where Skopes was founded; it’s in our DNA. The city’s heritage in textiles and its appreciation for quality and style have shaped our brand from the very beginning. Opening our White Rose store feels like a homecoming and a celebration of our roots.”
Skopes has a reputation for adapting to the evolving needs of its customers. By embracing innovation and offering a wider range of sizes not typically found on the high street, the brand has remained relevant in the competitive menswear market.
Simon added: “We constantly strive to stay ahead of the curve and meet the changing wants, needs, and desires of our customers. The role of the suit in men’s lives has changed dramatically since the pandemic; the five-days-a-week suited and booted look for the office is virtually a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean the suit is dead. Our customers now want suits for specific occasions and events, which our store lay-out reflects. It’s certainly not a boring ‘suits you, sir’ old-fashioned store and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”
The opening of Skopes’ flagship store at the White Rose Centre marks a significant achievement for the brand and an exciting addition to the Leeds retail scene.
Skopes’ White Rose store opens Saturday 28 September at 9:30 am with the launch event running until 1.30pm. Location: Unit 25, Lower Mall (Next to Deichman Shoes, opposite Ernest Jones). Shoppers can get 30% off across opening weekend.
