One of Leeds City Libraries' Mobile Libraries on the circular roadway in the grounds to the rear of the Civic Hall, taken when the mobile was new in 1989. The glass bridge linking the Civic Hall to its Annexe can be seen to the left. The tall building partly visible behind this is Leeds College of Technology.One of Leeds City Libraries' Mobile Libraries on the circular roadway in the grounds to the rear of the Civic Hall, taken when the mobile was new in 1989. The glass bridge linking the Civic Hall to its Annexe can be seen to the left. The tall building partly visible behind this is Leeds College of Technology.
One of Leeds City Libraries' Mobile Libraries on the circular roadway in the grounds to the rear of the Civic Hall, taken when the mobile was new in 1989. The glass bridge linking the Civic Hall to its Annexe can be seen to the left. The tall building partly visible behind this is Leeds College of Technology.

21 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1989

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 24th Jul 2023, 04:45 GMT
Updated 16th Aug 2024, 12:31 GMT
All aboard for this gallery of memories celebrating a year in the life of Leeds at the end of the 1980s.

1989 was the year which saw the launch of mobile libraries travelling into the city’s communities to spread the joy of reading and books to residents. These photos also feature fun, friendship and food with a much-loved bakery and restaurant in focus among the gems celebrating 12 months in the life your Leeds. 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: 27 photos take you back to Leeds in 1987 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Lone pilot Tony Smith, who flew half way around the world in a 50 year old Bucker Jungmann biplane, arrived at Sherburn-in-Elmet in May 1989 not quite the man he was. The 43-year-old touched down two stones lighter after the 12,000 mile journey took him through some of the world's hot spots.

7. Leeds in 1989

Lone pilot Tony Smith, who flew half way around the world in a 50 year old Bucker Jungmann biplane, arrived at Sherburn-in-Elmet in May 1989 not quite the man he was. The 43-year-old touched down two stones lighter after the 12,000 mile journey took him through some of the world's hot spots. Photo: YPN

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Firefighters struggled to find water supplies as a huge blaze destroyed a factory and more than £1million of stock at Pudsey in May 1989. The blaze broke out at Loxton lampshade manufacturers which occupied half of the former mill at Daytona House on Carlisle Road.

8. Leeds in 1989

Firefighters struggled to find water supplies as a huge blaze destroyed a factory and more than £1million of stock at Pudsey in May 1989. The blaze broke out at Loxton lampshade manufacturers which occupied half of the former mill at Daytona House on Carlisle Road. Photo: YPN

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The white painted building in the centre is the Village Bakery in Rawdon. On the right is entrance to St. Peter's Junior and Infant School.

9. Leeds in 1989

The white painted building in the centre is the Village Bakery in Rawdon. On the right is entrance to St. Peter's Junior and Infant School. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Daily Bread Bakery, a Caribbean baker on Chapeltown Road. It was housed in one of the shop units of the Chapeltown Business Centre and run by Ma and Floyd 'the Man' Parris. All the bread and cakes are freshly baked on the premises and include a British and Caribbean range.

10. Leeds in 1989

The Daily Bread Bakery, a Caribbean baker on Chapeltown Road. It was housed in one of the shop units of the Chapeltown Business Centre and run by Ma and Floyd 'the Man' Parris. All the bread and cakes are freshly baked on the premises and include a British and Caribbean range. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Staff behind the counter of Dr. B's Caribbean restaurant, set up by Doctor Barnado's, the young people's charity. The restaurant was run with funding from Task Force, the Home Office and Leeds City Council. The 36 seater venue provided young people with City and Guilds, Caterbase Hotel and Catering Training Board qualifications over two years, and they were paid YTS training allowances. The restaurant proved very popular for its traditional dishes of Caribbean chicken, steamed fish with cornmeal, stuffed cheese aubergine, served with gunga peas and rice, leaks, plantain and roast potatoes. Pictured in December 1989.

11. Leeds in 1989

Staff behind the counter of Dr. B's Caribbean restaurant, set up by Doctor Barnado's, the young people's charity. The restaurant was run with funding from Task Force, the Home Office and Leeds City Council. The 36 seater venue provided young people with City and Guilds, Caterbase Hotel and Catering Training Board qualifications over two years, and they were paid YTS training allowances. The restaurant proved very popular for its traditional dishes of Caribbean chicken, steamed fish with cornmeal, stuffed cheese aubergine, served with gunga peas and rice, leaks, plantain and roast potatoes. Pictured in December 1989. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The opening of the new extension to Alston Lane Centre with Councillor George Mudie and local residents in October 1989. Alston Lane Centre is situated in Hawkshead Crescent and the extension was formed by the conversion of an adjacent semi-detached house. The houses were linked by a newly built community hall. The old part of the centre was also refurbished including the kitchen facilities. The extension housed a fully-equipped creche, a classroom and four offices.

12. Leeds in 1989

The opening of the new extension to Alston Lane Centre with Councillor George Mudie and local residents in October 1989. Alston Lane Centre is situated in Hawkshead Crescent and the extension was formed by the conversion of an adjacent semi-detached house. The houses were linked by a newly built community hall. The old part of the centre was also refurbished including the kitchen facilities. The extension housed a fully-equipped creche, a classroom and four offices. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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