Derelict premises of 'Wrigley's' at number 137A Camp Road by the junction with Carlton Street. Corrugated iron blocks up the ground floor of the building and a boy stands in front. A woman walks down the road towards the camera. A bricked up building is visible on the left. Pictured in June 1948.placeholder image
Derelict premises of 'Wrigley's' at number 137A Camp Road by the junction with Carlton Street. Corrugated iron blocks up the ground floor of the building and a boy stands in front. A woman walks down the road towards the camera. A bricked up building is visible on the left. Pictured in June 1948. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Depressing photos take you back to Little London in the 1940s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 4th Nov 2025, 04:45 GMT

These photo memories from around Little London in the 1940s are are dominated by dereliction and demolition.

The gallery brings together streets and buildings around the community which were in a dark and depressing state of disrepair against a backdrop of life after the Second World War. One of the bright spots among the decay and despair is a factory which provided hope and employment for the local community - clothing manufacturers Hepworths and Son Ltd. 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: 15 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Looking south-east at numbers 138 and 140 Carlton Street, at the junction with Camp Road. The end house is derelict, and has missing windows and damaged brickwork. Pictured in June 1948.

13. Little London in the 1940s

Looking south-east at numbers 138 and 140 Carlton Street, at the junction with Camp Road. The end house is derelict, and has missing windows and damaged brickwork. Pictured in June 1948. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A vView of numbers 11, 13 and 15 on Elmwood Street, showing dereliction. Three boys stand on the street, which has a telephone pole with blackout stripes painted on it. Pictured in February 1944.

14. Little London in the 1940s

A vView of numbers 11, 13 and 15 on Elmwood Street, showing dereliction. Three boys stand on the street, which has a telephone pole with blackout stripes painted on it. Pictured in February 1944. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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