‘Keen prices, quality goods, friendly service’. Words on the caption of a photo from the Yorkshire Evening Post archive describing what shoppers could expect at Kirkgate Market in the 1970s. It was a decade which proved to be turbulent and traumatic for traders at Europe’s largest covered market. Fire devastated the retail gem in the middle of the decade while a strike at the end of the 1970s meant locked gates. These photos showcase the ups and downs of life at Kirkgate Market during the decade and bring into focus the news stories making the news and how traders bounced back from the brink of despair. Many of the images featured have never been seen before having being digitised from the archive for the first time. 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
13. Kirkgate Market in the 1970s
Like a phoenix from the flames... in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN
14. Kirkgate Market in the 1970s
The opening of the new £400,000 Leeds market hall in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN
15. Kirkgate Market in the 1970s
Butc her Jack Williamson and Alan Brown. The pair were vice chair and chairman of the Leeds Markets Tenants and Traders Association. Pictured in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN
16. Kirkgate Market in the 1970s
Do you remember trader Maria Chardman? Pictured in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN
17. Kirkgate Market in the 1970s
Do you remember trader Donald Newell? Pictured in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN
18. Kirkgate Market in the 1979s
The brave actions of a trader helped a fellow stallholder to get over the difficult months after the fire. Stanley Atack, a fruiterer who had a stall on Top Row, went into the burning hall to rescue his day's takings and the £2,000 he saved was immediately offered on loan to other traders who could not manage. He is pictured in August 1976. | YPN Photo: YPN