Cookridge Street Baths in November 1928. Also known as the Oriental and General baths, they were designed by Cuthbert Brodrick cost £13,000 and were opened in 1867. With some alterations in 1882, they remained in use until finally closing and being demolished in the late 1960s.placeholder image
Cookridge Street Baths in November 1928. Also known as the Oriental and General baths, they were designed by Cuthbert Brodrick cost £13,000 and were opened in 1867. With some alterations in 1882, they remained in use until finally closing and being demolished in the late 1960s. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Evocative photos take you back to Leeds in the 1920s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 7th Dec 2025, 04:45 BST

These evocative photos capture the sights and sounds of Leeds in the last 20s.

They provide a wonderful perspective of the changes and challenges faced residents of the city during the decade. Landmarks in Leeds city centre are featured as well as memories from around the suburbs with Burley, Chapel Allerton, Armley, Moortown and Harehills all in focus. 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: Watch - Secrets of Leeds Queens Hotel revealed including hidden tunnel LOVE LEEDS? LOV E NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The Clock Buildings on Roundhay Road in May 1929. Upland Road is in the centre and Easterly Road to the right. This is the future site of the Clock Cinema, opening in 1938. The well known Fforde Grene was to be opened to the public by the Melbourne Brewery on 25th November 1938, on a site just out of view on the right.

19. Harehills

The Clock Buildings on Roundhay Road in May 1929. Upland Road is in the centre and Easterly Road to the right. This is the future site of the Clock Cinema, opening in 1938. The well known Fforde Grene was to be opened to the public by the Melbourne Brewery on 25th November 1938, on a site just out of view on the right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The unemployed centre on Cookridge Street in April 1927. It was sometimes known as the Lord Mayor's hut, also used as a Y.M.C.A.

20. Leeds city centre

The unemployed centre on Cookridge Street in April 1927. It was sometimes known as the Lord Mayor's hut, also used as a Y.M.C.A. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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June 1920 and pictured is a section of Chapel Allerton Carnival procession passing the Regent Inn on Regent Street. This part of the parade has children in fancy dress, shepherded along by ladies dressed in the fashion of the period.

21. Chapel Allerton

June 1920 and pictured is a section of Chapel Allerton Carnival procession passing the Regent Inn on Regent Street. This part of the parade has children in fancy dress, shepherded along by ladies dressed in the fashion of the period. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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September 1928 and pictured are the prize winning window displays of Finglands Furnishing, located at the junction of King Charles Street and Guildford Street. As part of Civic Week celebrations shops and street were decorated. The programme of events for the week also included Municipal Tours around the suburbs to show new developments in housing, roads and public works and open days at factories around the city including J.Barran and Sons Ltd., Appleyard and Montague Burton.

22. Leeds city centre

September 1928 and pictured are the prize winning window displays of Finglands Furnishing, located at the junction of King Charles Street and Guildford Street. As part of Civic Week celebrations shops and street were decorated. The programme of events for the week also included Municipal Tours around the suburbs to show new developments in housing, roads and public works and open days at factories around the city including J.Barran and Sons Ltd., Appleyard and Montague Burton. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A postcard produced to mark the opening of the new premises of Churwell Industrial Cooperative Society Stores on Elland Road in November 1922. It was built to replace the earlier store which was completely destroyed by fire in March 1921.

23. Leeds in the 1920s

A postcard produced to mark the opening of the new premises of Churwell Industrial Cooperative Society Stores on Elland Road in November 1922. It was built to replace the earlier store which was completely destroyed by fire in March 1921. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The entrance to the Chained Bull Hotel on Harrogate Road in February 1925. John Griffiths is named as the licensee and Ind Coope & Co. Ltd are the proprietors. A new Chained Bull hotel was in the process of being built at the time, just behind this one, leaving this building dating from the 18th century to close and subsequently be demolished.

24. Harrogate Road

The entrance to the Chained Bull Hotel on Harrogate Road in February 1925. John Griffiths is named as the licensee and Ind Coope & Co. Ltd are the proprietors. A new Chained Bull hotel was in the process of being built at the time, just behind this one, leaving this building dating from the 18th century to close and subsequently be demolished. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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