The south side of Boar Lane showing the junction with Gascoigne Street on the left, next to no 18, Thoughts and Crosses, greeting cards. On the right is no. 20a, Pizza Romana. The area between is fenced off, with fly posting covering the fencing. A man and boy are walking past. Pictured in June 1980.placeholder image
The south side of Boar Lane showing the junction with Gascoigne Street on the left, next to no 18, Thoughts and Crosses, greeting cards. On the right is no. 20a, Pizza Romana. The area between is fenced off, with fly posting covering the fencing. A man and boy are walking past. Pictured in June 1980. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Astonishing photos show life in Leeds during the 1980s

By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 27th Feb 2020, 06:00 GMT
Updated 27th Feb 2020, 06:24 GMT

These photos turn back the clock to showcase life in Leeds during the 1980s.

They turn on the spotlight on a city evolving and a decade in which sharp suits and shoulder pads were all the rage. The images are from 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. CHANGING LEEDS: Demolished Leeds landmarks | Leeds International Pool | Leeds Inner Ring Road | Corn Exchange | City Square | Vicar Lane | Dark Arches LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join the Leeds Retro facebook group

YMCA building on Albion Place, built on the site of the former Leeds Stock Exchange. Used as the YMCA until 1984. Shops on the ground floor of the building are Eastwood tobacconist and Bentley Films photographic equipment.

7. Leeds city centre

YMCA building on Albion Place, built on the site of the former Leeds Stock Exchange. Used as the YMCA until 1984. Shops on the ground floor of the building are Eastwood tobacconist and Bentley Films photographic equipment. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Commercial Street in January 1980. Prams are pictured outside the the surgery of Doctors M. Bhatia, J. Lynagh and C.J. Garrett. On the right is the Black Bull pub.

8. Rothwell

Commercial Street in January 1980. Prams are pictured outside the the surgery of Doctors M. Bhatia, J. Lynagh and C.J. Garrett. On the right is the Black Bull pub. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Junction of Ingram Road and Domestic Street in September 1980 showing clearance site and new council houses in the background.

9. Holbeck

Junction of Ingram Road and Domestic Street in September 1980 showing clearance site and new council houses in the background. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
Domestic Street in Holbeck. On right is William Hill, bookmakers, next is a petrol station. Advertising hoardings can be seen, including for Renault cars and the Leeds & Holbeck Building Society, which is further along the road.

10. Holbeck

Domestic Street in Holbeck. On right is William Hill, bookmakers, next is a petrol station. Advertising hoardings can be seen, including for Renault cars and the Leeds & Holbeck Building Society, which is further along the road. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
The premises of E.J.Arnold and Son Ltd, educational printers and publishers, on Butterley Street, off Hunslet Road. Pictured in March 1980.

11. Hunslet

The premises of E.J.Arnold and Son Ltd, educational printers and publishers, on Butterley Street, off Hunslet Road. Pictured in March 1980. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
The white painted building in the centre is Rawdon's village bakery. On the right is entrance to St. Peter's Junior and Infant School.

12. Rawdon

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

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:LeedsThe Secret Library Leeds
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice