The junction of Aire Street and Wellington Street on City Square in June 1939. The focus of the photo is the premises of W Barstow, tobacconists, newsagents, confectioners, hairdressers and L Barstow, chiropody. At the newsagent end of the shop is an extensive display of magazines and newspaper billboards with clear contemporary headlines. There is a neon sign for Capstan cigarettes and below this above the shop doorway an advert for Craven A cigarettes, saying 'for your throat's sake smoke Craven A.' The edge of the railway station can be seen down Aire Street and there is a long line of parked cars along Wellington Street.placeholder image
The junction of Aire Street and Wellington Street on City Square in June 1939. The focus of the photo is the premises of W Barstow, tobacconists, newsagents, confectioners, hairdressers and L Barstow, chiropody. At the newsagent end of the shop is an extensive display of magazines and newspaper billboards with clear contemporary headlines. There is a neon sign for Capstan cigarettes and below this above the shop doorway an advert for Craven A cigarettes, saying 'for your throat's sake smoke Craven A.' The edge of the railway station can be seen down Aire Street and there is a long line of parked cars along Wellington Street. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

17 memorable photos take you back to Leeds city centre in 1939

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 14th Mar 2024, 04:45 GMT

These photos showcase the hustle and bustle of daily life around Leeds city centre during a year of profound change and challenges.

The gallery predominately focuses on the summer of 1939, capturing the daily grind and routine of people unaware that just weeks later - early September to be exact - that Britain and its allies would be at war after Germany's invasion of Poland. The Second World War would go on to become the largest and deadliest conflict in human history. Landmarks in focus in this collection include Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow and City Square as well as familiar streets such as Briggate, Wellington Street, Boar Lane and Albion Street. They 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: 40 photo gems of Leeds city centre from the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free and news and sport emails

The Old Hall Hotel on Wade Lane during demolition. This had closed in 1937 and, as can be seen from the sign, there were plans to build an Odeon Cinema on the site. However after demolition the site was used for a car park until the early 1960s when the Merrion Centre was built. An Odeon cinema did open in the centre in August 1964 and closed on October 30, 1977. Merrion Street is in the foreground of the photograph.

7. Leeds city centre in 1939

The Old Hall Hotel on Wade Lane during demolition. This had closed in 1937 and, as can be seen from the sign, there were plans to build an Odeon Cinema on the site. However after demolition the site was used for a car park until the early 1960s when the Merrion Centre was built. An Odeon cinema did open in the centre in August 1964 and closed on October 30, 1977. Merrion Street is in the foreground of the photograph. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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James Hare Ltd on Wellington Street., The company logo boasted 'Britains Best Botany Blues'. It was a woollen warehouse business. To the left is Brittania Street. Pictured in June 1939.

8. Leeds city centre in 1939

James Hare Ltd on Wellington Street., The company logo boasted 'Britains Best Botany Blues'. It was a woollen warehouse business. To the left is Brittania Street. Pictured in June 1939. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Miller Page furniture store looking from junction of Wormald Row. Shop is at 119 Albion Street. Junction with Upper Fountaine Street can be seen on left. Pictured in August 1939.

9. Leeds city centre in 1939

Miller Page furniture store looking from junction of Wormald Row. Shop is at 119 Albion Street. Junction with Upper Fountaine Street can be seen on left. Pictured in August 1939. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Duke of Kent visiting Quarry Hill flats with civic digniitaries. ALthough the first stage of the construction had bee completed in March, 1938 other parts of the flats were still under construction as seen in the photo from June 1939.

10. Leeds city centre in 1939

The Duke of Kent visiting Quarry Hill flats with civic digniitaries. ALthough the first stage of the construction had bee completed in March, 1938 other parts of the flats were still under construction as seen in the photo from June 1939. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Electricity Showrooms on The Headrow next to the Tax Offices on the corner. There is an entrance to the Electricity Showrooms also on Albion Street. Cars and motorcyles can be seen at the traffic lights. Pictured in August 1939.

11. Leeds city centre in 1939

Electricity Showrooms on The Headrow next to the Tax Offices on the corner. There is an entrance to the Electricity Showrooms also on Albion Street. Cars and motorcyles can be seen at the traffic lights. Pictured in August 1939. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Traffic by the junction of Great George Street and Portland Crescent in July 1939. Woodhouse Lane can be seen in the background.

12. Leeds city centre in 1939

Traffic by the junction of Great George Street and Portland Crescent in July 1939. Woodhouse Lane can be seen in the background. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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