Petty's - Memories of the Leeds printworks which left a lasting impression

It was the Leeds printworks which left a lasting impression on a city.
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 6th Nov 2020, 06:00 GMT
The packaging department at Petty's.The packaging department at Petty's.
The packaging department at Petty's.

Petty & Sons first opened on Whitehall Road, Holbeck, in 1865. The family printing company grew to become the first firm in the UK to install colour web offset presses in 1963.

The business was sold before becoming part of tycoon Robert Maxwell’s British Printing & Communications Corporation empire in 1981 and was then owned by several firms before its closure in December 2014.

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28 never seen before photos of Holbeck through the years
At the controls of a giant press at Petty's in June 1985.At the controls of a giant press at Petty's in June 1985.
At the controls of a giant press at Petty's in June 1985.
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These photos are sure to evoke memories for generations of workers especially those who worked at the site during the 1980s. They were taken at a time when the print industry was booming and worth £4 billion a year and earning Britain a useful export surplus.

The printworks were back in the headlines in October 2016 when a major fire broke out at the empty site.

Explosions could be heard and thick clouds of smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the site.

The inferno prompted a pop star on a visit to Leeds at the time to post on his Twitter account to his 1.4 million followers

A new printing press at Petty's in June 1986 aimed at meeting the demand for colour.A new printing press at Petty's in June 1986 aimed at meeting the demand for colour.
A new printing press at Petty's in June 1986 aimed at meeting the demand for colour.
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MyFly star Tom Fletcher, who was in the city for a signing of his new children’s book The Christmasaurus at WHSmith on Lands Lane, tweeted: “Unbelievable smoke coming from the fire in Leeds right now. Hope everyone is OK."

DID YOU WORK AT PETTY'S BACK IN THE DAY? Share your memories with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN*************************

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The printworks on Whitehall Road pictured in November 1983.The printworks on Whitehall Road pictured in November 1983.
The printworks on Whitehall Road pictured in November 1983.

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