The opening of the Virgin Megastore was music to the ears of record fans while a Gladiator stopped off in the city centre to open a Boar Lane restaurant. Elsewhere a well known TV prankster handed a surprise package to a junior rugby league coach. This was Leeds in 1996 and Leeds’s reputation as the ‘Knightsbridge of the North’ was further enhanced thanks to the official opening of the Harvey Nichols store on Briggate. These photos, plucked from the YEP archive, also feature memories from the city’s suburbs with Crossgates, Yeadon, Seacroft and Burley in focus. READ MORE: 34 loved and lost Leeds nightclubs you visited back in the day LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
19. Leeds city centre
Responding to an appeal by Leeds Childline Centre for office furniture, Tetley's brewery responded by sending some items by dray to the charity's offices off The Calls. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker
20. Stanks
London's Burning star Brad Clayton visited Stanks Fire Station in December 1996. He is pictured with firefighters Pete Scriven, Chris Lightfoot, Glen Tyrer and Sub Officer Stuart Cooke. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
21. Leeds city centre
Feet up between shows in December 1996. Panto Dame David Barry prepares for Babes in the Wood at Leeds City Varieties. | Bruce Rollinson Photo: Bruce Rollinson
22. Yeadon
The former Aireborough Boys Club at Yeadon Tarn was set to be relaunched as the Tarn Activity Centre following its takeover by Leeds City Council. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker
23. Leeds United
Leeds United's Andy Couzens battles with veteran Viv Anderson playing for Arsenal during John Lukic's testimonial at Elland Road in August 1996. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
24. Headingley
Wheatfields Hospice much-loved fundraising organiser Nelson Redman, centre, celebrates his retirement with some of the fundraising volunteers he supervises. | Justin Lloyd Photo: Justin Lloyd