The entrance to the Merrion Centre from Merrion Street. An escalator runs up the middle of the entrance way which was roofless at the time but has since been enclosed, and the escalator removed. Stylo shoes is on the left, advertising 'all stock at pre budget prices'. Further up is Royce Fashion Boutique with Locarno Mecca Dancing on the upper floor.placeholder image
The entrance to the Merrion Centre from Merrion Street. An escalator runs up the middle of the entrance way which was roofless at the time but has since been enclosed, and the escalator removed. Stylo shoes is on the left, advertising 'all stock at pre budget prices'. Further up is Royce Fashion Boutique with Locarno Mecca Dancing on the upper floor. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

33 intriguing photos take you back to Leeds city centre circa 1967

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 3rd Sep 2026, 04:30 BST

Leeds city centre circa 1967: Merrion Centre, Albion Street, Empire Arcade, Park Square, Bond Street, Lands Lane, Briggate and The Headrow in focus

Circa 1967 is the timeframe for this wonderful collection of photos from around Leeds city centre. The main photo starts with an escalator that doesn’t now exist featuring an advert for a now closed nightspot -Locarno Mecca Dancing - remembered by a generation of revellers. Landmarks featured in the gallery include Merrion Centre, Albion Street, Empire Arcade, Park Square, Bond Street, Lands Lane, Briggate and The Headrow. The images are 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: 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

Park Square. Cars are parked on both sides of the road. The trees are in full leaf.

31. Leeds city centre

Park Square. Cars are parked on both sides of the road. The trees are in full leaf. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Queen's Arcade looking from Lands Lane towards Briggate.

32. Leeds city centre

Queen's Arcade looking from Lands Lane towards Briggate. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Side view of St John's Church through the trees. The trees are in full leaf. Two people are sat on a stone wall outside the church.

33. Leeds city centre

Side view of St John's Church through the trees. The trees are in full leaf. Two people are sat on a stone wall outside the church. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Share your memories and feedback with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: andrew.hutchinson@jpress.co.uk or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN

34. Enjoyed this gallery?

Share your memories and feedback with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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