“I’m a Hong Konger and the founder of ChillChillCats. Simply I love cats — and through drawing them, I hope to bring a little joy and leave a lasting impression. Art is my way of connecting with people without words.”
About chillchillcats goodies & craftroom
/ Supporting independent makers
/ Crafty workshop
/ Arts and crafts
Located in the heart of Leeds City Centre - Leeds Corn Exchange
Our store is a storytelling of a HongKonger who endeavors to capture and present stories about her hometown and her encounters in the UK through drawings and illustrations of cat personification as human. You will also find plenty of cat-themed crafts from other independent makers, including prints, paintings, candles, embroidered accessories, stickers, brooches, ceramic decorations, crochet products and woodcraft.
"The good old days of Hong Kong" is another motif of our store. Strong character of nation-oriented product creates an intercultural dialogue, in a way to build a community hub that connects people. Come and say hello~
Most of the handmade crafts are limited edition, and some are one-of-a-kind. The collection changes regularly, bringing a new experience for your every visit.
ChillChillCats works with different brands to create unique illustrations for packaging, marketing materials, and more. Always open to new collaborations and creative projects.
Projects
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Tea Leaf packaging design
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Moon Cake cover & Tote Bag design
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Mural at Kirkgate Market
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Hong Kong Movie Themed Backdrop
Design the backdrop for Manchester Lunar New Year Fair.
HongKongers in Leeds
Located in the city centre of Leeds, Kirkgate Market is one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. Established in 1822, it was rebuilt after surviving wars and a major fire in 1975, and remains one of Leeds’ most iconic landmarks. It is also the birthplace of the century-old British brand Marks & Spencer.
In recent years, following the wave of Hong Kong migration to the UK under the BNO visa scheme, more and more Hong Kong businesses have moved into Kirkgate Market, bringing new Hong Kong elements and the sound of Cantonese to this historic marketplace. Local residents have generally responded positively to this new wave, believing that Hong Kong entrepreneurs have injected vitality and multicultural energy into the market.
Ben’s family is one such example. In 2024, they opened a café in Kirkgate Market, specialising in homemade cakes and desserts. Ben said that as the number of Hong Kong businesses has grown, the atmosphere in the market feels like Hong Kong in the 1980s and 1990s again — shop owners helping and promoting one another, reviving the mutual support and neighbourly spirit familiar to Hong Kong people.
Another Hong Kong migrant, Cindy, also once ran a handicrafts shop in Kirkgate Market due to its relatively low entry barrier, before later moving to the landmark shopping venue Leeds Corn Exchange to further develop her business. Yet her connection with Kirkgate Market has never been severed. At the invitation of the Hong Kong community group “Leeds Umbrella,” she designed a Hong Kong-themed mural inside the market, leaving a cultural imprint of Hong Kong migrants on this century-old marketplace.
Cindy believes that whether it is the presence of Hong Kong businesses or Hong Kong community activities of different scales, they provide companionship and a vital emotional outlet for Hong Kong people living in the UK. Settling and building a new life abroad is never easy, but through mutual support within the community and the continuation of their culture, Hong Kong people can still shine in the UK — supporting one another and growing together.
