Air raid shelters on City Square, which for years had represented a daily reminder of the clear and present threat of bombings raids by the Nazi German Luftwaffe were demolished. This was 1946, a year in which a city and its residents came back out from the shadows and tried to look to the future. These 18 photos celebrate the year in the life of your city. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: The Leeds Blitz – Nine air raids which brought death and devastation LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
13. Leeds in 1946
The premises of H. & N. Levy, costume & coat manufacturers on Wade Lane in August 1946. Building appears to be disused, and has a metal fire escape up the right hand side. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
14. Leeds in 1946
Leeds Marble and Heating Works on Woodhouse Lane at the corner with Rockingham Street in August 1946. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
15. Leeds in 1946
Two trams wait at the tram stop on Temple Newsam Road on the outskirts of the Park itself in July 1946. On the left edge, the front of tram number 185. The destination is shown as 'Special Car' travelling on route 1. This route led to Headingley which may be providing a public transport service to a cricket match. In the centre is tram number 273, a small destination board on the side reads 'Strawberry Lane' suggesting the tram would be travelling on route 16 along Tong Road. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
16. Leeds in 1946
Rockingham Street looking south at corner with Cross Rockingham Street in August 1946. No 3, premises of H. Weiss Turf Commission Agent, and "Equitable Gent's Hairdresser". Striped barber's pole projecting from doorway of the three storey fake stone faced building. Suited man wearing trilby standing in doorway. Centre, older brick built workshop, faint wall sign reads "J. Rogall and Sons, Confectionery Works". Gas lamp with two boys, to their right, upper loading bay door with pulley. Section of housing marked "L. Nathan". Ginnel between houses, cobbled street. Now site of Merrion Centre. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
17. Leeds in 1946
Briggate in August 1946. Shops in view include Saxone and Sorosis Shoe Co Ltd, Wallis and Co. (costumiers) Ltd, Tetley and Sons Ltd, tobacconists and Franks (opticians) Ltd and Jackson the tailor. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
18. Leeds in 1946
The north east side of York Place in August 1946. On the left is B. Nicholson & Co Ltd Woollen Merchants, and at no 31 Spicers Ltd paper manufacturers has a large metal sign advertising their name. The premises are five storeys high with arched windows and decorative brick work to three floors. The ground floor windows are square with some glass blacked out. Nicholsons is slightly taller with columned and porticoed doorway and a balustrade along the roof. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net