The Old Unicorn public house in Stocks Hill, Lower Town Street. A Tetley's sign hangs on the gable end, right. The landlord at this time was Harry Teale.placeholder image
The Old Unicorn public house in Stocks Hill, Lower Town Street. A Tetley's sign hangs on the gable end, right. The landlord at this time was Harry Teale. | West Yorkshire Archive Service

West Leeds: Photos take you back to Bramley at the dawn of the Swinging Sixties

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 19th Feb 2025, 10:31 GMT

These wonderful photos chart a year in the life of Bramley at the dawn of the Swinging Sixties.

Pubs and shops, a popular laundry and well travelled streets are all featured in this gallery focusing on the suburb in 1960. The images are published courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service, which collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region dating from the 12th century to the present day - more than 800 years of local history. It also runs Catablogue, an online blog dedicated to preserving the past, serving the present and protecting the future. READ MORE: Memories of lost Leeds pubs in Bramley, Rodley and Swinnow LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

An iron gate flanked by stone gate posts on Bell Lane has access to Park Place. This is a row of 'through-by-light' cottages with front gardens. There are fourteen dwellings in the row. Pictured in April 1960.

7. Bramley in 1960

An iron gate flanked by stone gate posts on Bell Lane has access to Park Place. This is a row of 'through-by-light' cottages with front gardens. There are fourteen dwellings in the row. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Stone premises and yard of number 366 Upper Town Street, housing the business of William Smith, Joiner and Funeral Director, and E. Hough, Shoe Repairer. The sign on the upper storey says Wm. Smith, Joiner and Funeral Director, proprietor Cliff Dean. The original William Smith started his business here in 1870 when he was 22. He accessed his workshop via the worn stone steps adjacent to the gable end. Pictured in April 1960.

8. Bramley in 1960

Stone premises and yard of number 366 Upper Town Street, housing the business of William Smith, Joiner and Funeral Director, and E. Hough, Shoe Repairer. The sign on the upper storey says Wm. Smith, Joiner and Funeral Director, proprietor Cliff Dean. The original William Smith started his business here in 1870 when he was 22. He accessed his workshop via the worn stone steps adjacent to the gable end. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
A view of stone-built terraced dwellings looking from the junction with Upper Town Street. They are situated in Hanover Street and number in descending order from the left in the direction of Town street, 10 to 2. Number 2 is part of the premises of off-license, Roberton's wines and spirits at 368 Upper Town Street. Pictured in April 1960.

9. Bramley in 1960

A view of stone-built terraced dwellings looking from the junction with Upper Town Street. They are situated in Hanover Street and number in descending order from the left in the direction of Town street, 10 to 2. Number 2 is part of the premises of off-license, Roberton's wines and spirits at 368 Upper Town Street. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Two shops on Bramley Town Street in March 1960. To the left is The 'Popular' hairdressing salon run by Maurice Ash displaying a striped Barber's Pole outside. And Central Fisheries run by John W. Stevenson. In the background, left T.H. Wilson Ltd, engineering works can be seen, also known as Aero Metal Works.

10. Bramley in 1960

Two shops on Bramley Town Street in March 1960. To the left is The 'Popular' hairdressing salon run by Maurice Ash displaying a striped Barber's Pole outside. And Central Fisheries run by John W. Stevenson. In the background, left T.H. Wilson Ltd, engineering works can be seen, also known as Aero Metal Works. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
A partially demolished row of stone terraced cottages in Spetch Yard in March 1960. It was one of several old yards situated off Lower Town Street and demolished in the 1960s.

11. Bramley in 1960

A partially demolished row of stone terraced cottages in Spetch Yard in March 1960. It was one of several old yards situated off Lower Town Street and demolished in the 1960s. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
A view of Upper Town Street showing the junction with The Crescent (left) a narrow street leading to Moriah Methodist Chapel and Sunday School. Number 6, The Crescent can be seen - (the white painted door surround beyond the pram on the cobbles). C. Thompson, fruiterer and greengrocer is at number 222 Upper Town Street and Fred Hemingway, off licence occupies numbers 218. Pictured in April 1960.

12. Bramley in 1960

A view of Upper Town Street showing the junction with The Crescent (left) a narrow street leading to Moriah Methodist Chapel and Sunday School. Number 6, The Crescent can be seen - (the white painted door surround beyond the pram on the cobbles). C. Thompson, fruiterer and greengrocer is at number 222 Upper Town Street and Fred Hemingway, off licence occupies numbers 218. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:Bramley
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice