The Merrion Centre opened in the city centre at a cost of £6 million and was described by your Yorkshire Evening Post at the time as the shape of things to come in every big town or city. And work was nearing completion on the Seacroft Civic Centre, the first large scale shopping and civic centre development serving a large area to the outskirts of the city centre. This 10 acre development included shops, offices, restaurants, pubs, banks and car parks, as well as a library, bowling alley and clinic. The year also featured a dramatic rescue, a visit by the Fab Four, and Leeds United in the recording studio. Enjoy these rarely-seen photos, published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, run by Leeds Library & Information Service, and West Yorkshire Archive Service, showcasing 12 months of change. READ MORE: 16 photos to take you back to Leeds in 1959
. Leeds in 1964
Leeds in 1964 - is this a city you remember? PIC: West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
City Square showing the demolition taking place of the Royal Exchange Buildings at number 1A Park Row in May 1964. A tower block replaced the buildings in 1965. In the foreground, right, is one of the figure lamps representing Morn and Eve by sculptor Alfred Drury. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. Leeds in 1964
The Odeon Cinema at the junction of New Briggate and The Headrow on the night of a performance by The Beatles in October 1964. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. Leeds in 1964
The Green Man public house on Dewsbury Road in Hunslet in August 1964. The second window on the left has 'Public Bar' etched on the glass while the window in the centre says 'Outdoor Room'. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
Lance Ash is rescued from a 130ft chimney at Mark Rowlands furniture warehouse on East Street in April 1964. He had been trapped for six hours while clearing bricks during the demolition. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
June 1964 and pictured is Seacroft Civic Centre, the first large scale shopping and civic centre development serving a large area of east Leeds.
. Leeds in 1964
Corner terraced houses on Acton Street at the junction with Kiln Street in Beeston in July 1964. The shop is licensed to sell groceries. It is on Kiln Street at number 20. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
Woodhouse's Blackman Lane with Blenheim Lodge on the left, at the end of Lofthouse Place in November 1964. Next a small park, beyond which Lofthouse Place can be seen. Blenheim Primary School now occupies this site. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
Looking across Beeston's Malvern Road to the junction with Algeria Street in July 1964. The shop occupies premises on the corner and sells groceries and 'local grown caulis, cabbages, carrots and peas.' Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
The Bachelors on their visit to the new Vallances store on New Market Street in August 1964. They flew into Leeds Bradford Airport from Blackpool where they had been performing for the Summer Season on the Central Pier. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
March 1964 and this is Richard Ormesher from Cookridge who was in the news at this time as he was judged to be a jigsaw expert at the age of three. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
Harold Wilson MP and Labour opposition leader, addressing an election campaign meeting at Leeds Town Hall in February 1964. Dennis Healey MP for Leeds North East is sitting to the side of him. Labour won the election in the October. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
May 1964 and Marjorie Ziff, wife of the chairman of Town Centre Securities Ltd, opens a case with a golden key, containing a cake modelled on the Merrion Centre. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
August 1964 and Schofields staged a zoo exhibition to attract families to the store. Group gathered in and around the elephant pen outside Schofields store on The Headrow. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
. Leeds in 1964
Polar Bears at the offices of British European Airways on The Headrow in August 1964. They were to take part in a 200 exhibition across the road at Schofields. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
1. Leeds city centre
An aerial view showing the construction of Leeds Metropolitan University in April 1964. To the left, part of the old Harewood Barracks. Behind, the Civic Hall and car park. Woodhouse Lane on the left, Portland Way on the right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds city centre
City Square showing the demolition taking place of the Royal Exchange Buildings at number 1A Park Row in May 1964. A tower block replaced the buildings in 1965. In the foreground, right, is one of the figure lamps representing Morn and Eve by sculptor Alfred Drury. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Leeds city centre
The Odeon Cinema at the junction of New Briggate and The Headrow on the night of a performance by The Beatles in October 1964. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Hunslet
The Green Man public house on Dewsbury Road in Hunslet in August 1964. The second window on the left has 'Public Bar' etched on the glass while the window in the centre says 'Outdoor Room'. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
5. Leeds city centre
Lance Ash is rescued from a 130ft chimney at Mark Rowlands furniture warehouse on East Street in April 1964. He had been trapped for six hours while clearing bricks during the demolition. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
6. Seacroft
June 1964 and pictured is Seacroft Civic Centre, the first large scale shopping and civic centre development serving a large area of east Leeds. | YPN Photo: YPN