A view of Wade Lane showing the Merrion Centre multi-storey car park in June 1966. To the right is the entrance to the Merrion Centre superstore. Opened in 1964, the Merrion Centre was the first shopping/leisure centre in Leeds, an early example of the mixed-use developments now prevalent in the 21st century.A view of Wade Lane showing the Merrion Centre multi-storey car park in June 1966. To the right is the entrance to the Merrion Centre superstore. Opened in 1964, the Merrion Centre was the first shopping/leisure centre in Leeds, an early example of the mixed-use developments now prevalent in the 21st century.
A view of Wade Lane showing the Merrion Centre multi-storey car park in June 1966. To the right is the entrance to the Merrion Centre superstore. Opened in 1964, the Merrion Centre was the first shopping/leisure centre in Leeds, an early example of the mixed-use developments now prevalent in the 21st century.

18 of the finest photos take you back to Leeds city centre in 1966

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 16th Sep 2023, 04:45 BST
Updated 6th Feb 2025, 14:35 BST
It was the year football came home as Leeds and beyond celebrated England’s World Cup win.

The city centre hosted a welcome home reception for the Leeds United players who were part of England's triumphant World Cup winning squad. 1966 was a year that your city had plenty to smile about. Live TV satellite images direct from Australia were beamed into people’s home for the first time while your city centre continued to look to the future while celebrating its past. READ MORE: The General Wade - Memories of a strangely shaped Leeds pub LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The Education Department, formerly the School Board Offices, at the junction of Great George Street, left, and Calverley Street, foreground right. George Corson was the winner of a competition to design this and the Municipal Buildings. His original intention was that it should be one great building fronting Calverley Street but the two buildings were re-designed because of the opposition to the closure of Alexander Street, right edge.

7. Leeds city centre in 1966

The Education Department, formerly the School Board Offices, at the junction of Great George Street, left, and Calverley Street, foreground right. George Corson was the winner of a competition to design this and the Municipal Buildings. His original intention was that it should be one great building fronting Calverley Street but the two buildings were re-designed because of the opposition to the closure of Alexander Street, right edge. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A blaze devastated the warehouse of W Matthewman and co Ltd, on Call Lane in March 1966. The warehouse, built for the Aire and Calder Canal Company in 1827, was gutted. Wool tops, bales of raw wool and bales of hide were also destroyed.

8. Leeds city centre in 1966

A blaze devastated the warehouse of W Matthewman and co Ltd, on Call Lane in March 1966. The warehouse, built for the Aire and Calder Canal Company in 1827, was gutted. Wool tops, bales of raw wool and bales of hide were also destroyed. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A 'Jubilee' class steam locomotive number 45647, named 'Sturdee', waits to leave Leeds City station. A holidaymakers' express to the West Coast, this train would run every Saturday only for a couple of months. The backing-plate for the locomotive's nameplate is visible just above the escaping steam - the nameplate itself is missing - either removed or sometimes they had been stolen.

9. Leeds city centre in 1966

A 'Jubilee' class steam locomotive number 45647, named 'Sturdee', waits to leave Leeds City station. A holidaymakers' express to the West Coast, this train would run every Saturday only for a couple of months. The backing-plate for the locomotive's nameplate is visible just above the escaping steam - the nameplate itself is missing - either removed or sometimes they had been stolen. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view looks along New Briggate onto the Grand Theatre in August 1966. The theatre was designed by George Corson and opened in 1878. The theatre seats 3,150 and is decorated in red and gold. It is now the home of National Opera North and the Northern Ballet Theatre. To the right of this view is Shaffners jewellers at number 44 New Briggate, then Paul's Modern Menswear.

10. Leeds city centre in 1966

This view looks along New Briggate onto the Grand Theatre in August 1966. The theatre was designed by George Corson and opened in 1878. The theatre seats 3,150 and is decorated in red and gold. It is now the home of National Opera North and the Northern Ballet Theatre. To the right of this view is Shaffners jewellers at number 44 New Briggate, then Paul's Modern Menswear. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view looking along Trinity Street from the junction with Commercial Street in June 1966. Barratt's shoe shop is on the left, in the same position it still occupies today (2011). The narrow street, which is proving to be difficult for large vehicles to access, at the time led all the way down to Boar Lane, coming out by Holy Trinity Church whose spire can be seen on the skylin

11. Leeds city centre in 1966

A view looking along Trinity Street from the junction with Commercial Street in June 1966. Barratt's shoe shop is on the left, in the same position it still occupies today (2011). The narrow street, which is proving to be difficult for large vehicles to access, at the time led all the way down to Boar Lane, coming out by Holy Trinity Church whose spire can be seen on the skylin Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This photo shows the main entrance of the Grand Theatre on New Briggate in August 1966. Playbills advertising the current show, 'My Fair Lady', are visible. This show ran from the 11th August for three weeks and three days, finishing on the 28th. Additional signs state that this show is in its final week. A large poster to the right advertises Joyce Heron in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf', starting on September 5.

12. Leeds city centre in 1966

This photo shows the main entrance of the Grand Theatre on New Briggate in August 1966. Playbills advertising the current show, 'My Fair Lady', are visible. This show ran from the 11th August for three weeks and three days, finishing on the 28th. Additional signs state that this show is in its final week. A large poster to the right advertises Joyce Heron in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf', starting on September 5. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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