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
13. Leeds in 1970
Miss BOC Swedish model Ischi Bernell, opens a new welding product centre at the British Oxygen works in Leeds by cutting a chain with a flame cutter in January 1970. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
14. Leeds in 1970
The Plaza Cinema on New Briggate. The building opened as the Assembly Rooms Concert Hall in 1898. It became a cinema in April 1907 advertising "new century talking and singing pictures". The name changed to the 'Plaza' on Monday, August 25, 1958 until its closure in 1985. Photo: K. S. Wheelan
15. Leeds in 1970
Enjoy these photo memories from around Leeds in 1970. PIC: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
16. Leeds in 1970
Institution Street looking west towards Raglan Road. In the background on the left is the March Institute, built around the turn of the 20th century as the Parish Hall of St. Mark's, a gift of the Misses March. Later it became a veneer works but has since been demolished. The area is now taken up with the Holborns. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
17. Leeds in 1970
The Tower Cinema on Briggate which was opened as the Tower Picture House in the old Grand Arcade on New Briggate. It closed as a cinema in 1985 and became a nightclub from 1986. Photo: K. S. Wheelan
18. Leeds in 1970
Firefighters ensure a fire is out after a gas explosion in July 1970. This house on Spring Wood Road in Rawdon was badly damaged. Fortunately it was empty at the time. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net