Situated proudly on the intersection of Stonegate and Blake Street - just a stone’s throw from the iconic Betty’s Tea Rooms - our York store has been part of the city’s historic heart since 1985. Over the past four decades, it has become a recognisable part of the city centre – the kind of store you remember not just for its selection of quality products, but for the warm welcome and the unmistakable scent of leather as you step through the door.

From day one, no detail was overlooked. The original fit-out featured handcrafted signage - and even gold leaf worked into the paint on the storefront! - a reflection of the same attention to detail and quality that still defines Lakeland Leather today.

The building itself required extensive development and renovation before it could become the store customers know today. From structural work to internal reconfiguration, the transformation was significant - breathing new life into a historic site and setting the tone for our presence in the city. The result was a store that combined character and craftsmanship from the outset, built to last and designed to feel special.

Now, as we celebrate this incredible milestone, the timing couldn’t be more fitting for a new chapter. With an eye firmly on the future, and with the help and expertise of Rita Millat, we have drawn up plans to reimagine the layout of the store, creating a refreshed space that honours our heritage while offering a welcoming, intuitive shopping experience designed for today.

Rita Millat - The Vision Behind the Transformation

If you’ve watched the latest series of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters, you’ll already be familiar with finalist Rita Millat’s eye for detail and flair for storytelling through space. Long before dazzling TV audiences, Rita had been working with us as a visual merchandising consultant, translating our brand values into engaging in-store experiences.

With her blend of retail savvy and design-studio creativity, she was the obvious choice to lead this milestone project.

“For the York redesign, I wanted every fixture, finish, and sight-line to celebrate Lakeland’s craft while guiding customers effortlessly through the collections,” Rita explains.

A key part of the project involved reorienting the floorplan to give each department its own sense of space, allowing individual ranges to shine while maintaining a strong overall flow. “It was so rewarding to create a layout that feels calm and intuitive,” Rita adds. “Every decision was about putting the customer first – making the store easy to navigate, enjoyable to explore, and a place where people genuinely want to spend time.”

A Floorplan Designed Around You

“You shouldn’t have to think about where to go next - good design gently guides you through the space without you even realising it.” says Rita. 

The most dramatic change? The till point will move from its previous tucked-away location to a bold new position directly ahead of the entrance. It now acts as both a functional centrepiece and a visual anchor - complete with decorative lighting and warm timber accents to immediately set the tone.

“I wanted the till to be a welcoming focal point, not hidden in a corner,” Rita explains. “The first few seconds in a store shape how you feel about the whole experience, so it made sense to place it right where customers naturally pause. It creates a moment of clarity and calm from the moment you step inside.”

Natural materials, like wood and soft brushed metals, add warmth and texture to the space, while a muted palette of earthy tones have been selected to allow the rich leathers and seasonal colourways to take centre stage.

Next up on the agenda was menswear, which will now be housed in its own department along the Blake Street-facing side of the store, making it a true ‘his and hers’ destination.

“I wanted the menswear section to feel special,” says Rita. “It’s an area where men can find their own style and enjoy the experience as much as the women do. Everything from the paint shades to the lighting was chosen to support that.”

Rita has also designed a fresh handbags department, complete with layered display heights, ambient lighting and room to browse at leisure.

“It’s not just about making the store look good - it’s about creating a space where people feel good,” Rita shares. “When you walk into a Lakeland Leather store, you should feel at home, inspired, and excited to discover something new.”

2025 - A Year of Celebration

As we mark 40 years in York and celebrate 70 years of Lakeland Leather, this redesign is just one of our exciting projects for the year ahead. We've got plenty more plans in the pipeline to honour this milestone - stay connected so you don't miss a thing. You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, and sign up to our Newsletter to make sure you hear about the latest news, events and offers. 

As always, it has been a pleasure to work alongside Rita on this project, doing what she does best . Her thoughtful, joyful approach continues to bring our spaces to life in a way that feels both fresh and true to who we are. Huge congratulations to Rita on recently reaching the final of Interior Design Masters - a well-deserved recognition of her talent. You can see more of her work and follow along with her latest projects on Instagram, or visit her website.

Here's to the next 70.