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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Samuel Port

Leeds shopper's fury at 'men being discriminated against' in city centre

Men are being “discriminated against” in Leeds city centre clothes shops, according to an “angry” shopper who’s complained about the lack of selection for men.

Hotel receptionist Mariusz Szymczak, 33, moved in to a city-centre flat last year because he thought it would be more convenient and reduce his carbon footprint. This has not been the case, however, and the Polish man has been having to travel to retail parks outside of the city-centre for the latest men’s fashion.

Mariusz said: “I find it annoying that even though I live in the city centre, I still have to take a bus or a car. It definitely makes me angry.

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“This is not something I expected from living in the city centre. It wasn’t always like this, it’s just changing now. I wasn’t expecting men to be discriminated against in this way.

"If you go any shop [in the city centre], the men’s section is tiny. I’ve been told to go to Birstall, which is quite far away, for a bigger selection.”

Shoppers in Briggate, Leeds city centre (Samuel Port)

He’s dismayed that some of his favourite shops have been removing their men’s section altogether. The 33-year-old said: “For men's clothing, more and more shops are closing their men’s section. I wonder if that's a trend?

"There are shops where the woman’s sections are massive and men’s are just tiny. Feels like one has to be a women to have a selection in the city.”

The 33-year-old has lived in the UK for nine years, he previously lived in Beeston. He’s said living there was more convenient for shopping as it was very close to the White Rose Centre.

He’s even had to travel outside of the city for household items. He had travel all the way to Kirkstall to stock up on kitchen knives.

He said: “I had to go to Kirkstall as knives are not available in city centre locations. I moved to the city to not have to use car and burn fuel.

“Now I'm forced to get a car or a bus. Defies the purpose!”

Do you agree with Mariusz? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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