Lewis's was the place to go for generations of aspirational shoppers and bargain-hunters all keen for their fix of retail therapy. It opened on the newly-widened Headrow in September 1932 and served the city for more than 60 years before becoming an Allders in the mid-1990s.placeholder image
Lewis's was the place to go for generations of aspirational shoppers and bargain-hunters all keen for their fix of retail therapy. It opened on the newly-widened Headrow in September 1932 and served the city for more than 60 years before becoming an Allders in the mid-1990s. | YPN

18 lost Leeds institutions that locals remember fondly - including the Mecca and Maxi's

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 27th Jun 2023, 11:30 BST
Updated 28th Jun 2024, 15:31 BST

They are the city institutions which will be forever remembered by a generation of Leeds folk.

Shops, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are all featured in this trip down memory lane celebrating the places which will forever hold a special place in the memory for people who called Leeds home down the years. How many do you remember? READ MORE: 43 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

It was the quirky Leeds city centre shop which proved to be a dedicated follower of fashion. Boodle-Am was an Aladdin's Cave which tempted millions of shoppers over almost 40 years until it shut in January 2008.

7. Boodle-Am

It was the quirky Leeds city centre shop which proved to be a dedicated follower of fashion. Boodle-Am was an Aladdin's Cave which tempted millions of shoppers over almost 40 years until it shut in January 2008. | YPN Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
It's the Leeds furnishings store which will be remembered with fondness by a generation of shoppers. Clover on Bridge Road in Kirkstall opened in September 1972 and by 1983 had grown to four times its original size. It's original range was cheap and cheerful - furniture, beds, carpets and electrical goods. But by the mid-1980s it was offering customers branded goods at low prices, offering a huge range of merchandise to cover every room in the house.

8. Clover

It's the Leeds furnishings store which will be remembered with fondness by a generation of shoppers. Clover on Bridge Road in Kirkstall opened in September 1972 and by 1983 had grown to four times its original size. It's original range was cheap and cheerful - furniture, beds, carpets and electrical goods. But by the mid-1980s it was offering customers branded goods at low prices, offering a huge range of merchandise to cover every room in the house. | YPN Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
It was the giant venue that led way for city nightlife. Opened in 1993 with hundreds of thousands of revellers passing through its doors during its 13 years in Leeds.

9. Majestyk

It was the giant venue that led way for city nightlife. Opened in 1993 with hundreds of thousands of revellers passing through its doors during its 13 years in Leeds. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker

Photo Sales
Maxi's restaurant on Bingley Street - pictured in November 1989 - built up a loyal following and customer base. It closed in February 2019 after almost 30 years of business.

10. Maxi's

Maxi's restaurant on Bingley Street - pictured in November 1989 - built up a loyal following and customer base. It closed in February 2019 after almost 30 years of business. | YPN Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Inside the much-loved Watson Cairns bike shop on Lower Briggate pictured in July 1980.

11. Watson Cairns

Inside the much-loved Watson Cairns bike shop on Lower Briggate pictured in July 1980. | YPN Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
It was the city centre shop which clothed generations of school children - Rawcliffe's on Boar Lane pictured in August 1982.

12. Rawcliffe's

It was the city centre shop which clothed generations of school children - Rawcliffe's on Boar Lane pictured in August 1982. | YPN Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:LeedsMecca
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice