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

Whitelocks landlord Fred Cliffe, right, and wife Julia, receive the Campaign for Real Ale's best regional pub of the year award in January 1989.

19. Leeds in 1989

Whitelocks landlord Fred Cliffe, right, and wife Julia, receive the Campaign for Real Ale's best regional pub of the year award in January 1989. Photo: YPN

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Jamaican Dub poet, Ras Fikre, performs to the crowds at the 4th annual Black Music Festival on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 1989. It was a free community event sponsored by Leeds City Council and was the biggest Black Music Festival in Europe. It was held annually in Potternewton Park and included musicians and performers from the Caribbean and the USA. As well as the more well known artists, the Festival also provided a showcase for local talent.

20. Leeds in 1989

Jamaican Dub poet, Ras Fikre, performs to the crowds at the 4th annual Black Music Festival on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 1989. It was a free community event sponsored by Leeds City Council and was the biggest Black Music Festival in Europe. It was held annually in Potternewton Park and included musicians and performers from the Caribbean and the USA. As well as the more well known artists, the Festival also provided a showcase for local talent. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Beeston's Back Lodge Lane showing the rear of terraced houses on Lodge Lane. All have small back yards, some with washing lines, some with out-buildings. This is the south-west side of Back Lodge Lane running from Stratford Terrace to Trentham Street.

21. Leeds in 1989

Beeston's Back Lodge Lane showing the rear of terraced houses on Lodge Lane. All have small back yards, some with washing lines, some with out-buildings. This is the south-west side of Back Lodge Lane running from Stratford Terrace to Trentham Street. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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MP for East Leeds, Denis Healey is pictured as he attends the Spring and Summer Fayre at the Denis Healey Centre in Foundry Mill Street in September 1989. He is reaching for his wallet as he is about to make a purchase from the Arts and Craft Stall. At the time he was on his way to his surgery but dropped in to support the Fayre. The fund raising event collected £70 with over a dozen stalls, games, a treasure hunt, raffles and refreshments. Denis Healey remarked that the Fayre was a fine example of community spirit.

22. Leeds in 1989

MP for East Leeds, Denis Healey is pictured as he attends the Spring and Summer Fayre at the Denis Healey Centre in Foundry Mill Street in September 1989. He is reaching for his wallet as he is about to make a purchase from the Arts and Craft Stall. At the time he was on his way to his surgery but dropped in to support the Fayre. The fund raising event collected £70 with over a dozen stalls, games, a treasure hunt, raffles and refreshments. Denis Healey remarked that the Fayre was a fine example of community spirit. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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