North Street showing Feltham tram no.559, on route 3 to Harehills. On the right is Levin & Levin, woollen merchants, at no.100 North Street, then Bernard Rose, tailor, at no.102. Hidden behind the tram is the North Tavern then following the junction with Darley Street is the Fashion Pleating Co. Ltd. Pictured in placeholder image
North Street showing Feltham tram no.559, on route 3 to Harehills. On the right is Levin & Levin, woollen merchants, at no.100 North Street, then Bernard Rose, tailor, at no.102. Hidden behind the tram is the North Tavern then following the junction with Darley Street is the Fashion Pleating Co. Ltd. Pictured in | Tramway Museum Society

Fascinating photos take you back to a forgotten corner of Leeds in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 31st Mar 2024, 04:45 GMT

It's a forgotten area of Leeds which the vast majority of people would struggle to pinpoint.

Leylands was an area of Leeds, north of the city centre and west of Mabgate. A 1726 Plan of Leedes by cartographer John Cossins shows two fields marked Ley Lands north of Lady Lane and west of the Sheepscar Beck, also later known as Lady Beck, which correspond to the area. These wonderful photos take you back to the 1950s and showcase a slice of life which time seems to have erased. The images are a mix from the Tramway Museum Society and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 43 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free news and sport emails

Back-to-back properties on the odd numbered side of Lower Brunswick Street. This street had no number 13 property. Instead, number 11a can be seen on the left with number 15 next door. The row continues to the right in ascending order. Pictured in September 1959.

7. Leylands in the 1950s

Back-to-back properties on the odd numbered side of Lower Brunswick Street. This street had no number 13 property. Instead, number 11a can be seen on the left with number 15 next door. The row continues to the right in ascending order. Pictured in September 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Back-to-back properties on Melbourne Street pictured in September 1959.

8. Leylands in the 1950s

Back-to-back properties on Melbourne Street pictured in September 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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View looks from Brunswick Row onto properties on Lower Brunswick Street. On the left is number 5, the former premises of the Westgate Clothing Co Ltd which included Hirst Bros, tailors and J. and B. Felt, dress and light clothing manufacturers. This property went through to number 8a Melbourne Street. The row continues with back-to-back houses. Pictured in September 1959.

9. Leylands in the 1950s

View looks from Brunswick Row onto properties on Lower Brunswick Street. On the left is number 5, the former premises of the Westgate Clothing Co Ltd which included Hirst Bros, tailors and J. and B. Felt, dress and light clothing manufacturers. This property went through to number 8a Melbourne Street. The row continues with back-to-back houses. Pictured in September 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Mud and rubble and some machinery where there is work on a static water basin foundation between Regent Street and Leylands Road, opposite Leeds College of Technology Department of Building, which can be seen in the top left corner. Pictured in January 1952.

10. Leylands in the 1950s

Mud and rubble and some machinery where there is work on a static water basin foundation between Regent Street and Leylands Road, opposite Leeds College of Technology Department of Building, which can be seen in the top left corner. Pictured in January 1952. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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