They reveal a city adjusting to the winds of social and economic change while at the same time looking ahead to the future. It was a year which featured a Royal Wedding, a summer of sunshine to remember and plans for a city centre hotel complex. This gallery also takes you around the suburbs with Rothwell, Methley, Harehills and Kirkstall all in focus. 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: 21 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1980s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
13. Leeds in 1981
Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's '...smash hit musical' Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was staged at The Grand in July 1981. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
14. Leeds in 1981
Yorkshire College of Music on The Headrow in October 1981. On the left is Park Cross Street. Hood's Travel shop has a poster advertising 1982 brochures. The block of property has the lettering 'Yorkshire Training College of Music' along the front. It has since been demolished. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
15. Leeds in 1981
A piece of the past was planted in the grounds of brand new Castleton Primary School in March 1981. For the staff and pupils of Castleton, dubbed "the school for scandal" when it was in its Victorian Armley Road premises, now have the 100 year old castle shaped gatepost top as a keepsake. Pictured are pupil Sarah Trigg with John Creswell, of Witt, Newton and Co., stonemasons, installing the old stone on its new site, watched by staff and pupils. Photo: YPN
16. Leeds in 1981
The scrap car yard near the junction of Bath Road and Water Lane at Holbeck pictured in March 1981. Photo: Ernest Brook
17. Leeds in 1981
The first day of the new Rothwell open market behind the Blackburn Hall in May 1981. Photo: YPN
18. Leeds in 1981
Councillor and residents Methley's Pinder Green Bridge which had became a flooding blackspot in February 1981. Pictured, front, are councillors, from left, David Lambert, Ernest Smith and Gregory Moakes. Photo: YPN