A view of City Square from the Queen's Hotel in Wellington Street, near the junction with Boar Lane. The Black Prince and the statues of Morn and Eve are visible in City Square. In the background, left, is the General Post Office, then the junction with Infirmary Street. In the centre, between Infirmary Street and Park Row, is the Norwich Union Building. Mill Hill Chapel in Park Row is at the right edge.placeholder image
A view of City Square from the Queen's Hotel in Wellington Street, near the junction with Boar Lane. The Black Prince and the statues of Morn and Eve are visible in City Square. In the background, left, is the General Post Office, then the junction with Infirmary Street. In the centre, between Infirmary Street and Park Row, is the Norwich Union Building. Mill Hill Chapel in Park Row is at the right edge. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

14 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds city centre in 1964

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 30th Aug 2024, 04:45 GMT

These evocative photos provide a fascinating snapshot of life around Leeds city centre during the early 1964.

They take you back to 1964 and bring into focus landmarks such as the Queens Hotel and City Square as well as streets such as Park Row, Boar Lane, Bishopgate Street and Wellington Street. News stories making the headlines are also included in this wonderful round up of memories. The images are are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 26 rarely-seen photos take you around the city's suburbs in the 1960s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

View from the grounds of Mill Hill Chapel in Park Row across Wellington Street to the Queen's Hotel. The view also takes in the demolition site of the Royal Exchange Buildings, bottom left, at the junction of Boar Lane and Park Row.

7. Leeds city centre in 1964

View from the grounds of Mill Hill Chapel in Park Row across Wellington Street to the Queen's Hotel. The view also takes in the demolition site of the Royal Exchange Buildings, bottom left, at the junction of Boar Lane and Park Row. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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View from Boar Lane showing the demolition of Royal Exchange Buildings taking place. Several people have stopped to watch. On the left, part of the General Post Office is visible, located on City Square. At the right edge is Millet's Stores (1928) Ltd. at numbers 46 and 47 Boar Lane.

8. Leeds city centre in 1964

View from Boar Lane showing the demolition of Royal Exchange Buildings taking place. Several people have stopped to watch. On the left, part of the General Post Office is visible, located on City Square. At the right edge is Millet's Stores (1928) Ltd. at numbers 46 and 47 Boar Lane. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Central Station looking from Wellington Street. Central Station opened in 1848 but closed down in 1967 to be demolished in 1968. The Royal Mail Headquarters was built on the site. One of the posters displayed on the walls advertises trips to London for 50 shillings.

9. Leeds city centre in 1964

The Central Station looking from Wellington Street. Central Station opened in 1848 but closed down in 1967 to be demolished in 1968. The Royal Mail Headquarters was built on the site. One of the posters displayed on the walls advertises trips to London for 50 shillings. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Harold Wilson MP and labour opposition leader, addressing an election campaign meeting in Leeds Town Hall in February 1964.. Dennis Healey MP for Leeds North East is sitting to the side of him. Labour won the election in October and formed a government with an overall majority of only four seats

10. Leeds city centre in 1964

Harold Wilson MP and labour opposition leader, addressing an election campaign meeting in Leeds Town Hall in February 1964.. Dennis Healey MP for Leeds North East is sitting to the side of him. Labour won the election in October and formed a government with an overall majority of only four seats | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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An accident during the construction of the inner ring road in September 1964 This lorry, belonging to Malcolm Grainge, contractors fell down a hole in the road. Workmen can be seen gathered round the lorry and construction equipment is visible in the background

11. Leeds city centre in 1964

An accident during the construction of the inner ring road in September 1964 This lorry, belonging to Malcolm Grainge, contractors fell down a hole in the road. Workmen can be seen gathered round the lorry and construction equipment is visible in the background | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Inside the Commercial and Technical Library within the Municipal Buildings in Calverley Street and photographed in 1964. The former Victorian statue gallery was 'modernised' in 1955 to open in the April of that year as the new Library of Commerce, Science and Technology.

12. Leeds city centre in 1964

Inside the Commercial and Technical Library within the Municipal Buildings in Calverley Street and photographed in 1964. The former Victorian statue gallery was 'modernised' in 1955 to open in the April of that year as the new Library of Commerce, Science and Technology. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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