The first corn exchange in Leeds was located at the north end of Briggate and was opened in 1829. By the mid-19th century, it was considered too small, and civic officials decided to commission a larger building. It was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, a Hull architect best known for Leeds Town Hall, in the Italianate style, built in stone with diamond-shaped rustification and was completed in 1863. The use of the building as a corn exchange declined significantly in the wake of the Great Depression of British Agriculture in the late 19th century. It enjoyed somewhat of a new lease of life in the 1980s when it was restored it and converted it into a retail space. These photos, from the YEP archive, from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s tell the story of its remarkable transformation. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. 1990s
The revamp provided four different places to eat in December 1991. | YPN Photo: YPN
8. 1990s
This is Nursery Times pictured in December 1991, one the 40 specialist shops which opened in the Corn Exchange. | YPN Photo: YPN
9. 1990s
This view shows inside the Corn Exchange in September 1995. | Dan Oxtoby Photo: Dan Oxtoby
10. 1990s
Were you a regular at the Corn Exchange during the 1990s? Pictured in July 1996. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
11. 1990s
We step outside the Corn Exchange as the Pacesetters Waterfront Mural was unveiled, boasting a 'positive image of health'. Pictured in June 1996 is French street artist Julien Bogenschutz | Dan Oxtoby Photo: Dan Oxtoby
12. 1990s
Remember Neighbours star Anne, played by actress Brooke Satchwell? She visited the Corn Exchange in January 1998 to meet Leeds superfan Jason Leigh. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty