Christmas in Leeds: How the festive spirit burned bright in the 1990s

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 22nd Dec 2022, 04:45 BST

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Christmas spirit burns bright in these photo memories showcasing how Leeds celebrated the festive season in the 1990s.

This first photo, thought to date from 1998, shows the staff of Kirkgate Market fishmongers Thomas Hayes wearing colourful wigs and false noses in the run up to the big day. The festive fun continues with visits from Santa as well as shopping scenes and celebrity visits of goodwill. Enjoy these photos, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, charting how your city celebrated Christmas in the 1990s. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Enjoy these photo memories of Leeds at Christmas in the 1990s. PIC: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

1. Christmas in Leeds

Enjoy these photo memories of Leeds at Christmas in the 1990s. PIC: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Leeds Shopping Plaza showing Boar Lane Mall, busy with shoppers around Christmas time, with decorations and a Christmas tree visible. This shopping centre was formerly the Bond Street Centre and opened in September 1977; in March 1996 it became the Leeds Shopping Plaza under new owners Tops Estates. Shops in the picture include James Walker, Olympus and Ibiza.

2. Christmas in Leeds

Leeds Shopping Plaza showing Boar Lane Mall, busy with shoppers around Christmas time, with decorations and a Christmas tree visible. This shopping centre was formerly the Bond Street Centre and opened in September 1977; in March 1996 it became the Leeds Shopping Plaza under new owners Tops Estates. Shops in the picture include James Walker, Olympus and Ibiza. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Christmas Lights strung across Briggate in 1999. A sign for Briggate advertises 'Leeds Shops'. The Christmas Lights are the work of the Leeds Lights Workshop which was formed by Leeds City Council in 1983.

3. Christmas in Leeds

Christmas Lights strung across Briggate in 1999. A sign for Briggate advertises 'Leeds Shops'. The Christmas Lights are the work of the Leeds Lights Workshop which was formed by Leeds City Council in 1983. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Christmas lights on New Briggate on to junction with The Headrow pictured in 1992.

4. Christmas in Leeds

Christmas lights on New Briggate on to junction with The Headrow pictured in 1992. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Dortmund Square, so called because of the Bronze statue of the Dortmund Drayman by Arthur Schults Engels which was presented in 1980 to celebrate the 10th year of Civic twinning. Telephone boxes can be seen in the centre of the photograph with JJB Sports on the left.

5. Christmas in Leeds

Dortmund Square, so called because of the Bronze statue of the Dortmund Drayman by Arthur Schults Engels which was presented in 1980 to celebrate the 10th year of Civic twinning. Telephone boxes can be seen in the centre of the photograph with JJB Sports on the left. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Commerical Street in November 1990. Shops in focus include Cable & Co. menswear, Monsoon ladieswear, with Julian Jay hair above, Next ladies and menswear and Ratners jewellers. Solo ladieswear can be seen beyond the junction with Lands Lane. West Riding House can be seen in the background.

6. Christmas in Leeds

Commerical Street in November 1990. Shops in focus include Cable & Co. menswear, Monsoon ladieswear, with Julian Jay hair above, Next ladies and menswear and Ratners jewellers. Solo ladieswear can be seen beyond the junction with Lands Lane. West Riding House can be seen in the background. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net