The streets of York will be transformed with the addition of these fantastic new venues.
They say variety is the spice of life and these new businesses set to open up shop in York are adding that bit more flavour to the city. Whether you’re a foodie, a literary enthusiast or an avid thrifter, there’s something for everyone among these new openings. Which are you looking forward to the most?
Topping & Company
If you love getting lost in a good book you’ll be more than pleased to learn that York is about to become home to the largest independent bookstore in the country. Topping & Company, which currently has stores in Edinburgh, Bath, Ely and St. Andrews is planning to open its York branch in the spring.
They’ve already begun converting a Grade II-Listed building opposite the Minster into a three-storey emporium stocked wall to wall with over 70,000 books. In the meantime, they’ve scheduled events and readings in other venues around the city to bring the bibliophiles of York together.
Topping & Company will open at 1A Museum Street, York sometime this Spring.
The Poetry Pharmacy
Credit: Poetry Pharmacy
Another one for York’s literary community, The Poetry Pharmacy is opening on Coney Street in a matter of weeks. The business is on a mission to share the healing powers of poetry to as many people as possible, and their third flagship store in York will help them do just that with personalised poetry prescriptions available for everyone who walks through the door.
Described as ‘half bookshop, half apothecary’, the store will be a hub for browsing poetry and literary non-fiction, attending readings, and picking up wellbeing gifts. Customers will also be able to unwind in the reading room, where they can pause, reflect on poetry and enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee.
The Poetry Pharmacy will open at 20 Coney Street, York in March.
Popeyes
We’ve seen Popeyes – ahem – pop up in the West Yorkshire cities of Leeds and Wakefield but soon they’ll be opening their first North Yorkshire branch with a restaurant on Church Street. While there’s no official opening date (or even exact address) adverts have been listed on the fast food chain’s website for a managerial position in their York outlet.
The new restaurant will be the brand’s eighth location in Yorkshire, bringing with it crispy chicken in the form of tenders, wraps and, of course, the iconic Popeyes Chicken Sandwich. We can’t wait to get our hands on that lip-smacking Cajun goodness– yum!
Popeyes will open on Church Street, York later this year.
St. Leonard’s Hospice
Credit: St. Leonard’s Hospice
York’s getting a brand new charity shop, stocking quality pre-loved homeware, clothing, books and more. St. Leonard’s Hospice is opening a huge outlet on the site of the former B&M store in Clifton Moor, making it even easier for York residents to support people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families and carers.
As far as we’re concerned, you can never have too many charity shops, and they’re the perfect places to while away an afternoon finding gems at amazing prices. This 16,000 sq foot facility will also feature a drive-through donation centre, making it even easier to contribute to the organisation’s cause.
St. Leonard’s Hospice will open at Clifton Moor Retail Park in May 2026.
Cover image credit: Poetry Pharmacy
