Richard Boston & Sons, a fruit, game and fish market on Boar Lane used by those wishing to avoid the larger markets located opposite Holy Trinity Church. placeholder image
Richard Boston & Sons, a fruit, game and fish market on Boar Lane used by those wishing to avoid the larger markets located opposite Holy Trinity Church. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Extraordinary photos take you back to Leeds city centre in the early 1900s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 23rd Oct 2024, 04:45 GMT

It was the city centre store described as providing fifty varieties of fish including Oysters, every bird imaginable, thirty six varieties of vegetables, one hundred sorts of fruit.

Richard Boston & Sons was found on Boar Lane, the home of Leeds most stylish shops, in the early 1900s.The Waddington's 1894 Guide to Leeds described it as offering '...a selection of luxuries too numerous to name and a business-like briskness in attention to the smallest order are within the customers reach'. This photo of the shop front displaying fresh poultry while staff stand gathered at the front.is one of more than 20 showcasing life in Leeds city centre during the first decade of the 1900s. Other landmarks featured in this gallery of memories include City Square, Kirkgate, Briggate and Lands Lane. READ MORE: The story of the Leeds city centre character known as 'Woodbine Lizzie' LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Kirkgate before improvement in September 1908. To the right of the photo is the arched entrance to Croisdale Court. Next to this is the empty premises that was previously Illingworths Grindery Stores at 54 Kirkgate then E.Wray newsagents at 53 which has signs in window stating 'selling off'. Next door at 52 is the partly demolished premises that was previously Nobles Stores, with the entrance to Barstows Yard just visible.

19. Leeds city centre

Kirkgate before improvement in September 1908. To the right of the photo is the arched entrance to Croisdale Court. Next to this is the empty premises that was previously Illingworths Grindery Stores at 54 Kirkgate then E.Wray newsagents at 53 which has signs in window stating 'selling off'. Next door at 52 is the partly demolished premises that was previously Nobles Stores, with the entrance to Barstows Yard just visible. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Longley's Bedstead and Bedding warehouse. on Lands Lane in January 1903.

20. Leeds city centre

Longley's Bedstead and Bedding warehouse. on Lands Lane in January 1903. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Millgarth Street Police Station, looking from Union Street, pictured in May 1908. Built in 1878 for a total of £5,150 as a divisional headquarters, it was originally it was much larger containing barracks and mortuary. In 1885 the barracks were condemned by the Medical Officer of Health and the mortuary was transferred to Old Mill Lane, Hunslet in 1903.

21. Leeds city centre

Millgarth Street Police Station, looking from Union Street, pictured in May 1908. Built in 1878 for a total of £5,150 as a divisional headquarters, it was originally it was much larger containing barracks and mortuary. In 1885 the barracks were condemned by the Medical Officer of Health and the mortuary was transferred to Old Mill Lane, Hunslet in 1903. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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