Located in the County Arcade the Mecca Locarno Ballroom is nothing short of a city institution. It opened in November 1938 and closed in 1969 by which time new venue had been opened in the Merrion Centre. This picture was taken sometime in the 1960s.Located in the County Arcade the Mecca Locarno Ballroom is nothing short of a city institution. It opened in November 1938 and closed in 1969 by which time new venue had been opened in the Merrion Centre. This picture was taken sometime in the 1960s.
Located in the County Arcade the Mecca Locarno Ballroom is nothing short of a city institution. It opened in November 1938 and closed in 1969 by which time new venue had been opened in the Merrion Centre. This picture was taken sometime in the 1960s.

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

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 27th Jun 2023, 11:30 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.

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 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: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

The Duchess of York was a vibrant city centre pub that punters and bands flocked to. Oasis, Radiohead and Nirvana played there. Closed in March 2000.

7. The Duchess

The Duchess of York was a vibrant city centre pub that punters and bands flocked to. Oasis, Radiohead and Nirvana played there. Closed in March 2000. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
This cinema on the corner New Briggate and The Headrow became a mecca for generations of film fans when it was taken over by Odeon in November 1939. It closed in October 2001.

8. The Odeon

This cinema on the corner New Briggate and The Headrow became a mecca for generations of film fans when it was taken over by Odeon in November 1939. It closed in October 2001. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Vicar Lane Bus Station opened in the mid-1930s and was operated by West Yorkshire Road Car Company Ltd. It was known by many passengers as the Red Bus Station. It closed on March 31, 1990, when all bus services were transferred to the Central Bus Station. Part of the premises was occupied by Buckle's newsagents.

9. Vicar Lane Bus Station

Vicar Lane Bus Station opened in the mid-1930s and was operated by West Yorkshire Road Car Company Ltd. It was known by many passengers as the Red Bus Station. It closed on March 31, 1990, when all bus services were transferred to the Central Bus Station. Part of the premises was occupied by Buckle's newsagents. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Hansa and Kishor Dabhi retired in 2019 after 33 years at the helm of what is thought to be the city's longest running independent Indian restaurant.

10. Hansa's, North Street

Hansa and Kishor Dabhi retired in 2019 after 33 years at the helm of what is thought to be the city's longest running independent Indian restaurant. Photo: Gary Longbottom

Photo Sales
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.

11. 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. Photo: YPN

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.

12. 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. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:LeedsMecca