The new shopping precinct which opened about 10 weeks before Christmas in 1972. It was built at the corner of Albion Street and Queen Street. The photo was taken in August 1973; the neatly laid out gardens with flowing water features did not last much longer due to vandalism.placeholder image
The new shopping precinct which opened about 10 weeks before Christmas in 1972. It was built at the corner of Albion Street and Queen Street. The photo was taken in August 1973; the neatly laid out gardens with flowing water features did not last much longer due to vandalism. | David Atkinson Archive

16 colour photos take you back to Morley in 1973

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 23rd Mar 2024, 04:45 GMT

Shopping and sport take centre stage in this nostalgic look at a year in the life of Morley in the early 1970s.

These wonderful colour photos taker you back to the town in 1973 and showcase how a new shopping centre was attracting attention from locals while a new sports complex was taking shape. The images are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive whose collection is housed photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 23 colour photos take you back to Morley in 1963 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free news and sport emails

A view southwards along Queen Street taken from the turret at the top of the 1899 Co-op building, later converted at ground floor level into Barclays Bank. The white Town Hall buildings built by Albert Webster, the owner of the butcher's at 62A, are at the extreme right and were opened in 1936. Next to this is Sheard's, the chemist, owned in 1973 by Maurice Cutler, and the oldest shop on the photograph, the thick sandstone slabs on the roof dating it before 1850.

13. Morley in 1973

A view southwards along Queen Street taken from the turret at the top of the 1899 Co-op building, later converted at ground floor level into Barclays Bank. The white Town Hall buildings built by Albert Webster, the owner of the butcher's at 62A, are at the extreme right and were opened in 1936. Next to this is Sheard's, the chemist, owned in 1973 by Maurice Cutler, and the oldest shop on the photograph, the thick sandstone slabs on the roof dating it before 1850. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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A view from the upper level of the Town Hall showing businesses and shop properties in Queen Street Greenside Electrical co. Ltd. at number 83 Queen Street is in the centre, followed by Ernest Wilson & Son at number 85. Then Anglia Building Society at 87 and on the right, Crockatt Cleaning at number 89. The large building on the left is a bank at number 44 Queen Street at the junction with Wellington Street. Pictured in June 1973.

14. Morley in 1973

A view from the upper level of the Town Hall showing businesses and shop properties in Queen Street Greenside Electrical co. Ltd. at number 83 Queen Street is in the centre, followed by Ernest Wilson & Son at number 85. Then Anglia Building Society at 87 and on the right, Crockatt Cleaning at number 89. The large building on the left is a bank at number 44 Queen Street at the junction with Wellington Street. Pictured in June 1973. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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The portico of Morley Town Hall after sandblasting was carried out in August 1973. The view is from the Junction with Queen Street, foreground and Wellington Street.

15. Morley in 1973

The portico of Morley Town Hall after sandblasting was carried out in August 1973. The view is from the Junction with Queen Street, foreground and Wellington Street. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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A telephoto view from the tower of Morley Town Hall looking over Marshall Street, Zoar Street allotments, Crank Mill and Daisy Hill. A lot of new housing developed on Daisy Hill during the late 1960s and early 1970s while the old stone terrace had disappeared. Pictured in June 1973.

16. Morley in 1973

A telephoto view from the tower of Morley Town Hall looking over Marshall Street, Zoar Street allotments, Crank Mill and Daisy Hill. A lot of new housing developed on Daisy Hill during the late 1960s and early 1970s while the old stone terrace had disappeared. Pictured in June 1973. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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Share your memories of Morley in 1973 with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: andrew.hutchinson@jpress.co.uk or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN

17. Enjoyed this gallery?

Share your memories of Morley in 1973 with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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