Leeds nostalgia: 21 photos take you back to Gipton in the 1990s

It was the city suburb which in the 1990s boasted a road dubbed 'the street of shame'.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 28th Sep 2023, 04:45 BST

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Gipton’s Amberton Garth was the road were no-one wanted to live in. Boarded-up houses and dumped rubbish brought into stark focus issues of poverty and a two speed city economy where the have nots where left behind. This photo is one of 21 charting a decade in the life of the community and its residents. Shops, landmarks and stories making the news headlines during the 1990s are all featured in the gallery using photos from the YEP archive. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

A road that was dubbed 'the street of shame' was given the Brookside treatment. Amberton Garth was said in 1992 to be the street that no-one - not even the homeless - wanted to live in.

1. Gipton in the 1990s

A road that was dubbed 'the street of shame' was given the Brookside treatment. Amberton Garth was said in 1992 to be the street that no-one - not even the homeless - wanted to live in. Photo: YPN

Amberton Garth was said in 1992 to be the street that no-one - not even the homeless - wanted to live in. But since then tenants have been moved out and the North British Housing Association had invested £1.3 million upgrading the Garth. Michael Conroy, the only original tenant to return to the Garth received the keys to his newly built home in November 1993. He had been living for a year in Foundry Drive with his wife and two children. "It's a big, big improvement here," he said. "It's a bit like Brookside."

2. Gipton in the 1990s

Amberton Garth was said in 1992 to be the street that no-one - not even the homeless - wanted to live in. But since then tenants have been moved out and the North British Housing Association had invested £1.3 million upgrading the Garth. Michael Conroy, the only original tenant to return to the Garth received the keys to his newly built home in November 1993. He had been living for a year in Foundry Drive with his wife and two children. "It's a big, big improvement here," he said. "It's a bit like Brookside." Photo: YPN

Do you remember these shops on Coldcotes Circus? Pictured in February 1991.

3. Gipton in the 1990s

Do you remember these shops on Coldcotes Circus? Pictured in February 1991. Photo: YPN

Tearful protestors failed in an 11th hour bid to save council workmen from axing an 80ft lime tree in their street in September 1993. Objectors on Fearnville Terrace were forced to back off when they were threatened with arrest by two police officers.

4. Gipton in the 1990s

Tearful protestors failed in an 11th hour bid to save council workmen from axing an 80ft lime tree in their street in September 1993. Objectors on Fearnville Terrace were forced to back off when they were threatened with arrest by two police officers. Photo: YPN

Tearful protestors failed in an 11th hour bid to save council workmen from axing an 80ft lime tree in their street in September 1993. Objectors on Fearnville Terrace were forced to back off when they were threatened with arrest by two police officers.

5. Gipton in the 1900s

Tearful protestors failed in an 11th hour bid to save council workmen from axing an 80ft lime tree in their street in September 1993. Objectors on Fearnville Terrace were forced to back off when they were threatened with arrest by two police officers. Photo: YPN

Pupils of East Leeds High School clear rubbish from overgrown Wyke Beck in July 1994.

6. Gipton in the 1990s

Pupils of East Leeds High School clear rubbish from overgrown Wyke Beck in July 1994. Photo: YPN