Furnishing homes comes with a hefty price tag, especially when searching for high-quality ceramics.
A year after purchasing my first home, I was still waiting to find the “perfect” plates, having reluctantly settled on a few placeholder sets.
Last weekend, a friend suggested visiting Mondego Outlet. Located in a warehouse along the A58, this store sells Portuguese ceramics by weight, and online, it went viral for its deals. I decided to put it to the test.
Driving towards the Holbeck roundabout, I soon discovered that reaching Mondego Outlet would be the biggest hurdle.
Set back from the roadside, the red-brick building and small parking area is easy to miss. I bypassed the turn completely, but fortunately found alternative street parking on Graingers Way.
Once I stepped inside, the stressful arrival became background noise.
With its high ceilings and industrial interiors, Mondego Outlet felt effortlessly trendy.
The noise of chattering diners drifted from Double Eleven Café, located to the left of the entrance hall, serving salad bowls and brunches. Despite closing at 4pm, the café was in full swing at 3pm — I hoped that meant more ceramics left to browse on the shelves.
Beneath framed artwork by York-based artist Ufy, there was a row of trolleys and a chalkboard explaining Mondego’s concept.
Apart from a few price-tagged pieces, most items are sold by weight (calculated at a rate of £5.50 per kg). To track what their haul costs, customers “weigh as they go” on scales throughout the shop.
I was immediately struck by the myriad of colours: shelves upon shelves of bold reds, neutral creams, peach pinks, and dusky blues.
Walking through the aisles felt like an adult’s version of visiting a sweet shop.
All items were sourced from unused stock in Portugal, and the selection was varied. I wandered between the aisles, pausing to admire curved vases, supersized cheeseboards, and trinket-sized ceramics, including dainty egg cups.
Lighter pieces, like espresso cups, small mugs, and egg cups, cost as little as £1.
Alongside ceramics, there were also fabrics; shelves of bath mats, kitchen towels, and face towels, all priced by weight. Another aisle held a selection of candles in domed-glass holders.
Mondego had a lively atmosphere; approximately 30 other customers bustled along its aisles, weighing and cooing over ceramics.
The chain claims to be the UK’s “first and only Portuguese stoneware ceramic outlet priced by weight.”
There was something particularly special about weighing each item. It reminded me of visiting kilo sales as a teenager, thrifting for clothes priced by weight.
After spending 20 minutes browsing, I settled on two dinner plates, a gigantic platter, and six coasters, which totalled £25.33.
Since many stores charge upwards of £15 per ceramic plate, I was pleased with the value for money.
It also challenged my perspective on consumerism.
Faced with discounted ceramics, I’d expected to stagger back to my car, knees buckling under the weight of 50 plates. In reality, I felt encouraged to be selective.
Sifting through the ceramics and weighing individual pieces felt strangely therapeutic. I don’t doubt that I’ll be returning. Next time, I’d save extra time for brunch at Double Eleven Café.