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.placeholder image
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

Specialist Reporter

Published 24th Oct 2023, 04:45 GMT

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

Looking down the odd numbered side of Hanover Street in the direction of Park Lane. Number 25 on the right side is empty, the doorway and bay window have been bricked up. Pictured in August 1959.

13. Leeds city centre in 1959

Looking down the odd numbered side of Hanover Street in the direction of Park Lane. Number 25 on the right side is empty, the doorway and bay window have been bricked up. Pictured in August 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Hanover Street is the first house in full view from the left. Next right, 15 then 17 where a van is parked outside. Pictured in August 1959.

14. Leeds city centre in 1959

Hanover Street is the first house in full view from the left. Next right, 15 then 17 where a van is parked outside. Pictured in August 1959. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Back-to-back properties in a yard off Belgrave Street in September 1959. On the left are the derelict properties of numbers 48 and 50. On the right is number 56 where clothes hang on a line stretched across the yard outside.

15. Leeds city centre in 1959

Back-to-back properties in a yard off Belgrave Street in September 1959. On the left are the derelict properties of numbers 48 and 50. On the right is number 56 where clothes hang on a line stretched across the yard outside. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Share your feedback with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: andrew.hutchinson@jpress.co.uk or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN

16. Enjoyed this gallery?

Share your feedback with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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