Briggate boasted a ‘new look’ and was closed to through traffic after becoming pedestrianised. This was 1997 a year which plans were revealed for an ambitious arena at Elland Road work was nearing completion on Leeds General Infirmary's new £90 million wing. City centre landmarks are featured as well as memories from around the suburbs with Otley, Rothwell, Beeston and Farnley are all in focus. The images 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: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
25. Otley
Otley market stalls crowd close to the shops in Kirkgate during Friday market day in January 1997. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
27. Leeds city centre
The Black Prince silhouetted against the Queens Hotel and the City Square Christmas Tree, when the Leeds Lights were turned on in November 1997. | Bruce Rollinson Photo: Bruce Rollinson
28. Local football
Leeds Schools FA Under 11s "A" team pictured in November 1997. Back row, from left, are Andrew Findleton, David Walls, Gavin Huxall, Ben Carss, Tom Annal, Shaun Stevenson, Andrew Murphy and Paris Thompson. Front row, from left, are Micah Richards, Erik Seed, Richard Batley, Christopher Pacevitch, Andrew Bennett and Daryl Boland. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox
29. Leeds city centre
The Victoria Family and Commercial Hotel on Great George Street had undergone a refurbishment when this photo was taken in May 1997. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
30. Leeds city centre
A parade of seven brewers drays paraded through the city centre in March 1997 as part of Tetley's Brewery Wharf third anniversary celebrations | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker