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.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.
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.

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

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 24th Oct 2023, 04:45 BST

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

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

Kendal Place, looking along the odd numbered side numbers 7 to 31 from Hanover Mount in August 1959. At the end of Kendal Place is Kendal Lane. To the right is number 12 Hanover Mount, an off-licence shop run by Arthur Ward, then number 10 at the right edge.

7. Leeds city centre in 1959

Kendal Place, looking along the odd numbered side numbers 7 to 31 from Hanover Mount in August 1959. At the end of Kendal Place is Kendal Lane. To the right is number 12 Hanover Mount, an off-licence shop run by Arthur Ward, then number 10 at the right edge. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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On the left is the corner of Hanover Square, moving right, Hanover Avenue can be seen at the top of Hanover Mount. Number 12 Hanover Mount is an off-licence shop, business of Arthur Ward. Continuing right are numbers 10 to 2 Hanover Mount. Number 2 is obscured by the tree on the right, this is where the side of Hanover Square begins. Three sides of the square were houses, the fourth had the ground of Denison Hall. The tree in view is in the Denison Hall grounds. Pictured in August 1959.

8. Leeds city centre in 1959

On the left is the corner of Hanover Square, moving right, Hanover Avenue can be seen at the top of Hanover Mount. Number 12 Hanover Mount is an off-licence shop, business of Arthur Ward. Continuing right are numbers 10 to 2 Hanover Mount. Number 2 is obscured by the tree on the right, this is where the side of Hanover Square begins. Three sides of the square were houses, the fourth had the ground of Denison Hall. The tree in view is in the Denison Hall grounds. Pictured in August 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Seen from Hanover Mount, the odd numbered side of Kendal Terrace. On the left is the end of Kendal Place. Pictured in August 1959.

9. Leeds city centre in 1959

Seen from Hanover Mount, the odd numbered side of Kendal Terrace. On the left is the end of Kendal Place. Pictured in August 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Hanover House pic turdd in September 1959. It was locatedon the corner of Hanover Street and Denison Road, Hanover House, built around 1831, boasted one notable owner - James Kitson, later Lord Airedale (1861 - 1870). Seen here, the house was used as a TV repair depot. It was the business of Beamur TV and the Hanover Television Repair Co. Vehicles parked outside include a company van.

10. Leeds city centre in 1959

Hanover House pic turdd in September 1959. It was locatedon the corner of Hanover Street and Denison Road, Hanover House, built around 1831, boasted one notable owner - James Kitson, later Lord Airedale (1861 - 1870). Seen here, the house was used as a TV repair depot. It was the business of Beamur TV and the Hanover Television Repair Co. Vehicles parked outside include a company van. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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September 1959 and this photo shows a variety of in use and derelict large buildings on St Alban Street. Cars are parked on the street outside, on the left is a car, reg: XUM 417 with a jack underneath. By the late 1970s these buildings were replaced with the Register Office for births, deaths and marriages opened 1979.

11. Leeds city centre in 1959

September 1959 and this photo shows a variety of in use and derelict large buildings on St Alban Street. Cars are parked on the street outside, on the left is a car, reg: XUM 417 with a jack underneath. By the late 1970s these buildings were replaced with the Register Office for births, deaths and marriages opened 1979. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Hanover Garage, the business of Camilla Barr. To the right is number 6, this is just before the junction with Park Lane. Pictured in August 1959.

12. Leeds city centre in 1959

Hanover Garage, the business of Camilla Barr. To the right is number 6, this is just before the junction with Park Lane. Pictured in August 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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