Songs which make you smile, make you cry and those which remind you perhaps of a love that got away. Anyway, chances are that if you bought that record in the 1980s you probably bought it from Virgin Records in Leeds city centre. And the retailer was on the move in Briggate in the mid-1980s. It opened what was its largest store outside London in December 1984. The brand had for a long time been associated with dark rooms with the booming beat of rock music blaring away. The new store offered a new image to offer something for all the family, for pop-mad children to ‘Ole Blue Eyes for mum. Careful planning, clear signs, bright lights and modern decor helped shoppers navigate the different departments. Just past the front entrance was the hi-fi section – an area Virgin intended to develop. READ MORE: When Madonna mania swept over Roundhay Park LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
2. Virgin Records
August 1984 and Virgin Records were on the move in Briggate to create what was likely to be their largest store outside London. They revealed plans to move from their existing location, pictured, near the junction of Briggate and Duncan Street. Photo: YPN
3. Virgin Records
They wanted to take over this building which at the time was occupied by Wades Furnishing department store on Briggate near the Empire Arcade. Virgin's trainee manager Jo Walker said at the time: "It is going to be a very big development and will be among our most impressive stores." She added: "It will be redecorated in our red and blue" Photo: YPN
4. Virgin Records
The new store offered computer software ranges from games to programming courses. Photo: YPN
5. Virgin Records
A corner of Virgin's hi-fi room in its new store. From Sansui to Sharp, there were personal hi-fi units, stereo record players, some video recorders and televisions as well as the ultra modern compact disc players. The hi-fi section in the new store was only one of a handful to be set up in Virgin. Photo: YPN
