This gallery showcases life on The Headrow during a decade which was overshadowed by the horrors of the Second World War. It was a decade which the well travelled city centre artery used a focal point of celebration and commemoration. Huge crowds gathered for VE celebrations in the spring of 1945 and again the following month when the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry marched with bayonets fixed after receiving the Freedom of the City. And in the summer of 1949 thousands turned out to greet Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. The images are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 40 photo gems of Leeds city centre from the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
7. The Headrow in the 1940s
View of Lewis's (Leeds) Ltd. department store on The Headrow. Cars are parked outside. Pedestrians cross the road. Graffiti can be seen on Wade Lane. A double lampost, traffic lights and ladders are visible. Pictured in March 1949. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. The Headrow in the 1940s
Dense crowds on The Headrow and Victoria Square, in front of Leeds Town Hall. They are waiting for the Victory Parade to begin, part of the VE celebrations in May 1945. Photo: YPN
9. The Headrow in the 1940s
Looking west showing the Town Hall in 1947. The impressive building in white portland stone with arched windows is Permanent House on the corner with Cookridge Street. It opened on 15th May 1930 and was part of the new design for The Headrow when the road was considerably widened and altered. The Skefko Ball Bearing Co.Ltd. is on the right. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. The Headrow in the 1940s
March 1949 with Lewis's (Leeds) Ltd. department store on the north east side of The Headrow. Cars are parked outside. Shoppers are crossing the road. On the left, two men are working up ladders. Some graffiti can be seen on Wade Lane. A double lampost and traffic lights are prominent. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. The Headrow in the 1940s
A photo of the Odeon cinema at the corner of The Headrow and New Briggate in March 1946. 'The House on 92nd Street' was showing and there was a campaign to vote for Sunday Cinemas, with a poll date of March 19. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. The Headrow in the 1940s
The north east side of The Headrow, showing Lewis's Department Store at numbers 22 to 26. The elevated view shows cars and a van parked and shoppers crossing the road. A man is up a ladder on the left. Some graffiti can be seen on Wade Lane. Traffic lights and a double lampost are prominent. Pictured in March 1949 Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net