The Leeds Inner Ring Road as it joins Woodhouse Lane. Visible in the distance are the clock tower of the Town Hall and one of the gilded owl topped twin pinnacles of the Civic Hall. On the right is the Woodhouse Lane car park, opened August 6, 1970 with 1,100 spaces.The Leeds Inner Ring Road as it joins Woodhouse Lane. Visible in the distance are the clock tower of the Town Hall and one of the gilded owl topped twin pinnacles of the Civic Hall. On the right is the Woodhouse Lane car park, opened August 6, 1970 with 1,100 spaces.
The Leeds Inner Ring Road as it joins Woodhouse Lane. Visible in the distance are the clock tower of the Town Hall and one of the gilded owl topped twin pinnacles of the Civic Hall. On the right is the Woodhouse Lane car park, opened August 6, 1970 with 1,100 spaces.

17 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1970

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 13th Mar 2023, 04:45 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2024, 14:04 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

City centre parking has always been a bug bear of drivers across Leeds.

Yet that all changed in the summer of 1970 thanks to the opening of Woodhouse Lane car park and with it 1,000 spaces. It was also a 12 months which featured firefighters tackling the aftermath of a gas explosion in a Leeds suburb and the topping out of the former YEP headquarters on Wellington Street was celebrated with a traditional toast. These images are published courtesy of K. S. Wheelan, West Yorkshire Archive Service and photographic Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

The closure of Primrose Hill Colliery in Swillington in March 1970 was marked with barrels of free beer for the miners. George Prince, the colliery manager C Shaw and training officer Jack Kielty enjoyed a drink with the miners who had worked their last shift. The previous week the pit had broken the record for production.

7. Leeds in 1970

The closure of Primrose Hill Colliery in Swillington in March 1970 was marked with barrels of free beer for the miners. George Prince, the colliery manager C Shaw and training officer Jack Kielty enjoyed a drink with the miners who had worked their last shift. The previous week the pit had broken the record for production. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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The Pavilion Cinema on Stanningley Road. The 644 seater cinema closed on Saturday, April 5, 1970 when it became a Bingo Hall.

8. Leeds in 1970

The Pavilion Cinema on Stanningley Road. The 644 seater cinema closed on Saturday, April 5, 1970 when it became a Bingo Hall. Photo: K. S. Wheelan

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Mick Shoebottom scores a try for Leeds against Hull Kingston Rovers with Rose and Coupland of Hull failing to stop him. Although the try was disallowed Leeds won by 47-5. The other Leeds player in the background is Bernard Watson.

9. Leeds in 1970

Mick Shoebottom scores a try for Leeds against Hull Kingston Rovers with Rose and Coupland of Hull failing to stop him. Although the try was disallowed Leeds won by 47-5. The other Leeds player in the background is Bernard Watson. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Halton in May 1970. Chestnut hunter, Monica owned by Joan Austin of Skelton Moor farm pictured with her twin fillies, Twin fillies, Twilight and Dawn.

10. Leeds in 1970

Halton in May 1970. Chestnut hunter, Monica owned by Joan Austin of Skelton Moor farm pictured with her twin fillies, Twin fillies, Twilight and Dawn. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Bramley landmark Forest Products with signs for the sale of hardwood, softwood, plywood and wallboard. It was previously the 1,300 seat Clifton Cinema which opened in January 1939 and closed in June 1961 with Carry On Regardless starring Sid James and Liz Frazer the last film to be screened.

11. Leeds in 1970

Bramley landmark Forest Products with signs for the sale of hardwood, softwood, plywood and wallboard. It was previously the 1,300 seat Clifton Cinema which opened in January 1939 and closed in June 1961 with Carry On Regardless starring Sid James and Liz Frazer the last film to be screened. Photo: K. S. Wheelan

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The arrival of Catholic Church dignitaries for the opening of the Irish Centre on York Road in June 1970.

12. Leeds in 1970

The arrival of Catholic Church dignitaries for the opening of the Irish Centre on York Road in June 1970. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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