Rex Cinema on the Ring Road welcomed generations of movie-goers from LS11 and beyond. The cinema, which boasted seating for 1,350 people, had only been open three months when this photo was taken in May 1939. It closed in February 1976 with Apple Dumpling Gang and Sword in the Stone the last films to be shown before it was demolished to make way for a housing estate. The photo is one of 18 which showcase life in Beeston during the 1930s and feature a range of local landmarks and streets familiar to generations of people who called the suburb home down the years. They are 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: 19 photos to take you back to Beeston in the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTAGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

13. Beeston in the 1930s
Packing case and wood wool merchant HH Woodward at union mills on Dewsbury Road. Pictured in July 1936. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

14. Beeston in the 1930s
A parade of shops on corner of Malvern Road and Beeston Road in May 1936. To left can be seen The Harrisons Arms, with Tetley sign outside, also a street lamp, letter box and cars. End of Brookdale Place is also in view. Shops in main view are, from left to right, R. Hudson and Sons, drapers; Maypole Dairies and another unidentified shop. In front of R. Hudsons are two large ladders with a plank between them. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

15. Beeston in the 1930s
A row of three shops on Beeston Road in June 1938. They incude the premises of Abraham Marks, tailor with a window display of material swatches and the premises of Alfred T. Tallant, shoe maker. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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17. Beeston in the 1930s
Shops on Ring Road Beeston Park, close to the junction with Dewsbury Road in June 1937.On the left is William Pattinson, confectioner, with George Barker, draper, on the right. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

18. Beeston in the 1930s
Dewsbury Road in June 1937. This small section of the road shows the premises of Marshall, Wholesale Tobacconist and H. Almond, Coal Merchant. A small portion of R. White, Wine and Spirit Merchants shop is visible. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net


