Leeds Town Hall from The Headrow in August `1971. Oxford Place Chapel is on the left and part of the Municipal Buildings housing the Central Library are visible to the right.Leeds Town Hall from The Headrow in August `1971. Oxford Place Chapel is on the left and part of the Municipal Buildings housing the Central Library are visible to the right.
Leeds Town Hall from The Headrow in August `1971. Oxford Place Chapel is on the left and part of the Municipal Buildings housing the Central Library are visible to the right.

21 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1971

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 13th Nov 2023, 04:45 BST

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Leeds was on a city on the move in the early 1970s.

From removal vans to tea time congestion this photo gallery transports you back to 1971. It was also a year of celebrity visits, fundraising and fun. These images, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, chart a year in the life of your city and its residents. READ MORE: 22 photos to take you back to Leeds in 1972 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Studio 2 at Radio Leeds which at the time of this photo in February 1971 was operating from the Merrion Centre. The interviewer, left, is Chris Hawksworth. Also seen in the studio is the writer Harry Patterson, more commonly known as Jack Higgins.

7. Leeds in 1971

Studio 2 at Radio Leeds which at the time of this photo in February 1971 was operating from the Merrion Centre. The interviewer, left, is Chris Hawksworth. Also seen in the studio is the writer Harry Patterson, more commonly known as Jack Higgins. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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New Briggate looking south-west from the junction with Merrion Street, right, towards The Headrow. On the left, the Tower Cinema is showing the film 'Carry On Henry' with Sidney James and Kenneth Williams, which opened in the UK in 1971. Also featured is 'The Long Duel' starring Yul Brynner. The Tower Cinema opened on April 12, 1920, following a conversion of the old Grand Arcade by the architect J.P. Crawford of Albion Street. It was to close in 1985. Further along is the Grand Theatre which opened on November 18, 1878. In the distance on the opposite side of the road is the side of Lewis's department store which faces onto The Headrow, then across The Headrow is Burton's Menswear.

8. Leeds in 1971

New Briggate looking south-west from the junction with Merrion Street, right, towards The Headrow. On the left, the Tower Cinema is showing the film 'Carry On Henry' with Sidney James and Kenneth Williams, which opened in the UK in 1971. Also featured is 'The Long Duel' starring Yul Brynner. The Tower Cinema opened on April 12, 1920, following a conversion of the old Grand Arcade by the architect J.P. Crawford of Albion Street. It was to close in 1985. Further along is the Grand Theatre which opened on November 18, 1878. In the distance on the opposite side of the road is the side of Lewis's department store which faces onto The Headrow, then across The Headrow is Burton's Menswear. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Maxine Audley as Blanche in 'A Streetcar named Desire' at the Leeds Playhouse in May 1971.

9. Leeds in 1971

Maxine Audley as Blanche in 'A Streetcar named Desire' at the Leeds Playhouse in May 1971. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Lord and Lady Harewood are pictured at home in May 1971 with estate agent Neville Usher and David Wrench, house opening manager

10. Leeds in 1971

Lord and Lady Harewood are pictured at home in May 1971 with estate agent Neville Usher and David Wrench, house opening manager Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Hamlet was being staged at The Grand in July 1971 starring Ian McKellan as the eponymous hero.

11. Leeds in 1971

Hamlet was being staged at The Grand in July 1971 starring Ian McKellan as the eponymous hero. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Windsor House on the corner of Albion Street and Queen Street, opposite the Town Hall, pictured in August 1971. It was once the home of Joseph Schofield, the first Mayor of Morley and was later occupied by Morley Industrial Co-operative Society and then the Public Health Department. It was demolished in January 1972 to make way for the Windsor Court Shopping Precinct.

12. Leeds in 1971

Windsor House on the corner of Albion Street and Queen Street, opposite the Town Hall, pictured in August 1971. It was once the home of Joseph Schofield, the first Mayor of Morley and was later occupied by Morley Industrial Co-operative Society and then the Public Health Department. It was demolished in January 1972 to make way for the Windsor Court Shopping Precinct. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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