1986 proved to be 12 months of change and challenges as well as hope and happiness for your city and its residents. The old facade of the Grand Arcade was revealed during work on a city centre cinema while one of the less attractive city centre streets was at last getting a facelift. This gallery also features memories from Holt Park, Chapeltown, Gipton, Wortley and Stourton. They are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 21 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1980s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![Commercial Street, showing Crockatt Dry Cleaners and Tie Rack at No.2, and on the left Granada TV & Video at No.3.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/05/9/08/2005510_84043521.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Leeds city centre
Commercial Street, showing Crockatt Dry Cleaners and Tie Rack at No.2, and on the left Granada TV & Video at No.3. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![Kenneth Clarke, Minister for Employment meets local residents at the newly established Chapeltown Job Centre. Chapeltown had been designated as one of the eight areas throughout the country to become part of the Task Force scheme due to high levels of unemployment. It received a £1 million pound injection targeted at creating work opportunities for the unemployed. The funding went towards the setting up of Chapeltown Job Centre and new training schemes, including the 40-50 place YTS scheme. Grants were awarded to existing schemes for instance, Chapeltown Community Workshops and Technorth. Pictured in October 1986.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/05/9/16/2009105_169495.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Chapeltown
Kenneth Clarke, Minister for Employment meets local residents at the newly established Chapeltown Job Centre. Chapeltown had been designated as one of the eight areas throughout the country to become part of the Task Force scheme due to high levels of unemployment. It received a £1 million pound injection targeted at creating work opportunities for the unemployed. The funding went towards the setting up of Chapeltown Job Centre and new training schemes, including the 40-50 place YTS scheme. Grants were awarded to existing schemes for instance, Chapeltown Community Workshops and Technorth. Pictured in October 1986. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![Holbeck's David Street looking from Manor Road in June 1986. On the left, demolition is taking place of nos.39-41 David Street, blocking off the road in the process. On the right is a cleared area where St. Francis' R.C. Church and St. Joseph's R.C. Secondary School once stood. Behind this is a department of the Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/02/15/14/20081013_167500.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Holbeck
Holbeck's David Street looking from Manor Road in June 1986. On the left, demolition is taking place of nos.39-41 David Street, blocking off the road in the process. On the right is a cleared area where St. Francis' R.C. Church and St. Joseph's R.C. Secondary School once stood. Behind this is a department of the Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![Looking towards Manor Road from David Street. On the right, nos.39-41 David Street are in the process of demolition, leaving the road blocked. Pictured in June 1986.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/02/15/17/20081013_167501.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Holbeck
Looking towards Manor Road from David Street. On the right, nos.39-41 David Street are in the process of demolition, leaving the road blocked. Pictured in June 1986. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![The Carnival Queen chosen for 1986 at the Leeds West Indian Carnival, held annually. She is Lisa Condor and her elaborate costume of a sea anemone was designed by her brother, Hubon Condor. Pictured in August 1986.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/05/9/37/2010524_170776.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Chapeltown
The Carnival Queen chosen for 1986 at the Leeds West Indian Carnival, held annually. She is Lisa Condor and her elaborate costume of a sea anemone was designed by her brother, Hubon Condor. Pictured in August 1986. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![The demolition taking place of an industrial building on Manor Road, next to the junction with David Street. In the background on the left, part of Temple Works on Marshall Street can be seen.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/02/15/24/20081013_167503.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
12. Holbeck
The demolition taking place of an industrial building on Manor Road, next to the junction with David Street. In the background on the left, part of Temple Works on Marshall Street can be seen. | Leeds Department of Planning Photo: Leeds Department of Planning