Leeds city centre in 1959: Photo memories from the end of a decade

These fascinating photos chart a year in the life of your city centre at the end of the 1950s.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 24th Oct 2023, 04:45 GMT

The main photo takes you inside a landmark which millions pass through ever year – Leeds City Station. It is one of 16 turning the spotlight on the city centre in 1959, a year which featured a police officer directing traffic in the middle of Boar Lane. The images are published courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service, which collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region dating from the 12th century to the present day - more than 800 years of local history. It also runs Catablogue, an online blog dedicated to preserving the past, serving the present and protecting the future. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Interior view of Leeds City Station showing the buffet and refreshment rooms to the left and entrances to the platforms on the right. This part of the station was originally New Station, dating from 1869 and built as a joint station for the North-Eastern & London & North-Western Railways. The building of the New Station necessitated spanning the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal so it was constructed on a series of arches. These became known as the "Dark Arches", latterly "Granary Wharf". By 1904, as shown on a plan from that time, it had more than doubled in size and included 11 platforms, waiting rooms, refreshment rooms for dining and tea, a ladies' cloakroom, a book stall and public lavatories. In 1937 work began on the amalgamation of New Station (City South) with Wellington Station (City North) to become City Station and construction included the north concourse, linking the two, and a new 200 bedroomed Queens Hotel. It was renamed Leeds City Station on May 2, 1938.

1. Leeds city centre in 1959

Interior view of Leeds City Station showing the buffet and refreshment rooms to the left and entrances to the platforms on the right. This part of the station was originally New Station, dating from 1869 and built as a joint station for the North-Eastern & London & North-Western Railways. The building of the New Station necessitated spanning the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal so it was constructed on a series of arches. These became known as the "Dark Arches", latterly "Granary Wharf". By 1904, as shown on a plan from that time, it had more than doubled in size and included 11 platforms, waiting rooms, refreshment rooms for dining and tea, a ladies' cloakroom, a book stall and public lavatories. In 1937 work began on the amalgamation of New Station (City South) with Wellington Station (City North) to become City Station and construction included the north concourse, linking the two, and a new 200 bedroomed Queens Hotel. It was renamed Leeds City Station on May 2, 1938. Photo: British Railways

A police officer directs the traffic on Boar Lane at the busy junctions with Bishopgate Street where cars are visible towards the left, and Wellington Street, far right. On the of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street the rounded decorative building seen far left is the former Yorkshire Banking Company, the Midland Bank Ltd. Leeds City Station can be seen between the buildings in the background, and on the far right is part of the Queens Hotel.

2. Leeds city centre in 1959

A police officer directs the traffic on Boar Lane at the busy junctions with Bishopgate Street where cars are visible towards the left, and Wellington Street, far right. On the of Boar Lane and Bishopgate Street the rounded decorative building seen far left is the former Yorkshire Banking Company, the Midland Bank Ltd. Leeds City Station can be seen between the buildings in the background, and on the far right is part of the Queens Hotel. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

This view is looking from Park Lane to the junction with Hanover Terrace on the left and Hanover Street on the right. A vacant piece of land has been surrounded by advertising hoardings. There are large posters for Kit Kat bars, Jubilee stout and Fray Bentos corned beef. Pictured in September 1959.

3. Leeds city centre in 1959

This view is looking from Park Lane to the junction with Hanover Terrace on the left and Hanover Street on the right. A vacant piece of land has been surrounded by advertising hoardings. There are large posters for Kit Kat bars, Jubilee stout and Fray Bentos corned beef. Pictured in September 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Hanover Street in the city centre pictured in August 1959 On the left is the junction with Park Lane.

4. Leeds city centre in 1959

Hanover Street in the city centre pictured in August 1959 On the left is the junction with Park Lane. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A row of large terraced properties on St Alban Street in September 1959. By the late 1970s these buildings were replaced with the Leeds Register Office for births, deaths and marrages, opened in 1979.

5. Leeds city centre in 1959

A row of large terraced properties on St Alban Street in September 1959. By the late 1970s these buildings were replaced with the Leeds Register Office for births, deaths and marrages, opened in 1979. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

The Empire Theatre staged Rag Revue 1959 by the Leeds Student's Charity. 'Rag Needs Your Help to make it Devilish Good!'. Performances in June 1959 were twice nightly, at 6pm and at 8.15pm.

6. Leeds city centre in 1959

The Empire Theatre staged Rag Revue 1959 by the Leeds Student's Charity. 'Rag Needs Your Help to make it Devilish Good!'. Performances in June 1959 were twice nightly, at 6pm and at 8.15pm. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo memories Leeds