Leeds retro: 21 nostalgic photos that show you life in Leeds in 1972

It was the year city centre shoppers were enjoying what a new city centre pedestrian precinct had to offer. And Vallances on the corner of Central Road and New Market Street opposite the Corn Exchange had played their part towards a better environment by cleaning the outside of the department store. The transformation from black to mellow red brick had proved a talking point as had a complete refit of the ground floor providing better display facilities for the wide range of radio, TV, hi-fi and domestic appliances for sale. This was Leeds in 1972 and the these 21 photos chart the year in the life of your city and its residents. It was a 12 months which featured saw Leeds City Fire Brigade move into its new headquarters at the city end of Kirkstall Road and the opening of the £7.65 million Leeds South East Urban motorway. City centre landmarks are featured in this collection of photos as well as memories from around the city’s suburb’s with Headingley, Bramley, Holbeck, Horsforth and Hunslet all in focus. The images are a mix from the YEP archive, West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Lost city centre landmarks - The Leeds Skywalk LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia