Possibly the smallest pub in the town. The Bay Horse on Market Place, at the junction with Boroughgate. Just visible on the right, is a narrow passageway leading to Bay Horse Court. Pictured in October 2003.Possibly the smallest pub in the town. The Bay Horse on Market Place, at the junction with Boroughgate. Just visible on the right, is a narrow passageway leading to Bay Horse Court. Pictured in October 2003.
Possibly the smallest pub in the town. The Bay Horse on Market Place, at the junction with Boroughgate. Just visible on the right, is a narrow passageway leading to Bay Horse Court. Pictured in October 2003.

Otley pubs in focus as photos take you back to town in early 2000s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 10th Dec 2023, 04:45 BST

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These wonderful photos raise a glass to Otley’s thriving pub culture in the early 2000s.

They turn back the clock to the first three years of the new millennium and showcase the boozers which offered a warm welcome, friendly face and a tipple of your choice. The gallery also features local landmarks as well as stories making the news headlines from back in day. 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: 27 photo memories of Otley in 1996 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Otley Market Place in October 2003. Otley has boasted a market since a charter was granted by Henry III in 1222. A further Royal Charter in 1248 enabled Otley to hold a regular Monday market but it was not until 1800 that the market was moved to this location. There were no shops here at the time, only old timber shambles. Nowadays, the thriving market attracts many visitors to the town and is held weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A wide range of goods and produce is available including the colourful array of plants displayed on this stall.

7. Otley in the early 2000s

Otley Market Place in October 2003. Otley has boasted a market since a charter was granted by Henry III in 1222. A further Royal Charter in 1248 enabled Otley to hold a regular Monday market but it was not until 1800 that the market was moved to this location. There were no shops here at the time, only old timber shambles. Nowadays, the thriving market attracts many visitors to the town and is held weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A wide range of goods and produce is available including the colourful array of plants displayed on this stall. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The flooding of the bridge when the River Wharfe broke its banks in April 2002. People wade through the water, cars and lorries queue up unable to cross and men in orange and black wetsuits prepare a rubber dingy.

8. Otley in the early 2000s

The flooding of the bridge when the River Wharfe broke its banks in April 2002. People wade through the water, cars and lorries queue up unable to cross and men in orange and black wetsuits prepare a rubber dingy. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Floody hell! River Wharfe and Bridge Street bridge in April 2002. In foreground is a paving and grassed area showing evidence of flooding, visible on the right is a well. The church in the distance is Bridge Street United Reform Church.

9. Otley in the early 2000s

Floody hell! River Wharfe and Bridge Street bridge in April 2002. In foreground is a paving and grassed area showing evidence of flooding, visible on the right is a well. The church in the distance is Bridge Street United Reform Church. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Bramhope Tunnel Memorial in Church Lane built in remembrance of all the men who were killed in the construction of the Bramhope Tunnel on the Leeds and Thirsk railway. This castellated stone building is a replica of the tunnels northern portal entrance. The Bramhope Tunnel opened in 1849 and took several years to build during which time 23 men lost their lives. Pictured in October 2003.

10. Otley in the early 2000s

The Bramhope Tunnel Memorial in Church Lane built in remembrance of all the men who were killed in the construction of the Bramhope Tunnel on the Leeds and Thirsk railway. This castellated stone building is a replica of the tunnels northern portal entrance. The Bramhope Tunnel opened in 1849 and took several years to build during which time 23 men lost their lives. Pictured in October 2003. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view of stalls in Otley Market Place looking in the direction of Kirkgate. In the middle distance, centre is the Buttercross and the Jubilee Clock erected in 1888 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The clock tower was designed by Alfred Marshall and built by Mr W. Maston. It has four dials measuring three feet in diameter. The total cost of the clock and tower was £180.

11. Otley in the early 2000s

A view of stalls in Otley Market Place looking in the direction of Kirkgate. In the middle distance, centre is the Buttercross and the Jubilee Clock erected in 1888 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The clock tower was designed by Alfred Marshall and built by Mr W. Maston. It has four dials measuring three feet in diameter. The total cost of the clock and tower was £180. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The United Reformed Church in Bridge Street, known as the Bridge Church, pictured in October 2003. A group of travelling Scottish Drapers brought the Congregational Movement to Otley in 1821.

12. Otley in the early 2000s

The United Reformed Church in Bridge Street, known as the Bridge Church, pictured in October 2003. A group of travelling Scottish Drapers brought the Congregational Movement to Otley in 1821. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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