12 nostalgia photos take you down Lands Lane in Leeds city centre

It is the busy city centre shopping street which found a new lease of life in the early 1970s.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 10th Dec 2022, 04:45 GMT

Updated 19th Dec 2023, 10:17 GMT

Lands Lane was pedestrianised in 1972 allowing shoppers an opportunity to hunt for bargains away from exhaust fumes and vehicle noise. It has been home to some much loved retailers down the decades including WH Smiths, Peter Jones China and HMV as well as ice cream sellers, streets artists and sculptures. Enjoy these images, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, charting life on the street down the decades. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

View from north east corner of Lands Lane and Albion Place in November 1968. Powell Richards shop, John Peter's and Lloyds gramophone dealers visible.

1. Lands Lane memories

View from north east corner of Lands Lane and Albion Place in November 1968. Powell Richards shop, John Peter's and Lloyds gramophone dealers visible. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

View from The Headrow with Queen's Arcade on the left. Shops visible include British Relay, Harry Fenton and a restaurant. Circa 1967.

2. Lands Lane memories

View from The Headrow with Queen's Arcade on the left. Shops visible include British Relay, Harry Fenton and a restaurant. Circa 1967. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

April 1979 and on the left are The Light Bite, King Jobs, John Peters' furniture store in the 1922 Scala House, formerly a cinema, and Ivey Travel on the corner with Albion Place. On the right is Schofields on the site of Red Hall and on the other corner with Albion Place is the 1868 Church Institute buildings. In the background the rear of the 1970 C&A store is visible which front on to Boar Lane, and to the left of it, the spire of Holy Trinity Church.

3. Lands Lane memories

April 1979 and on the left are The Light Bite, King Jobs, John Peters' furniture store in the 1922 Scala House, formerly a cinema, and Ivey Travel on the corner with Albion Place. On the right is Schofields on the site of Red Hall and on the other corner with Albion Place is the 1868 Church Institute buildings. In the background the rear of the 1970 C&A store is visible which front on to Boar Lane, and to the left of it, the spire of Holy Trinity Church. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Lands Lane in June 1959.

4. Lands Lane memories

Lands Lane in June 1959. Photo: YPN

Lands Lane precinct at the corner with Albion Place pictured in April 1979. The fountain and precinct were opened on the April 12, 1972 by Environment Secretary Peter Walker. From the left, on Albion Place, shops include Bailey's, Nicola Anne, Willerby, Royce Manshop Ltd at number 27, Brandon House Ltd jeweller's at 28 and Ivey Travel at number 6 Lands Lane. A sign in the foreground informs that Lands Lane is a paved zone with vehicle restrictions.

5. Lands Lane memories

Lands Lane precinct at the corner with Albion Place pictured in April 1979. The fountain and precinct were opened on the April 12, 1972 by Environment Secretary Peter Walker. From the left, on Albion Place, shops include Bailey's, Nicola Anne, Willerby, Royce Manshop Ltd at number 27, Brandon House Ltd jeweller's at 28 and Ivey Travel at number 6 Lands Lane. A sign in the foreground informs that Lands Lane is a paved zone with vehicle restrictions. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Intime Jewellers on Lands Lane pictured in April 1989. Posters advertise a stock clearance sale with watches at half price. A passageway on the right leads to the back of the shop.

6. Lands Lane memories

Intime Jewellers on Lands Lane pictured in April 1989. Posters advertise a stock clearance sale with watches at half price. A passageway on the right leads to the back of the shop. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net