May 1950 and clerks employed at the showrooms of Appleyard of Leeds, Ltd. are pictured burning 20,000 gallons of petrol - on paper - at the showrooms.placeholder image
May 1950 and clerks employed at the showrooms of Appleyard of Leeds, Ltd. are pictured burning 20,000 gallons of petrol - on paper - at the showrooms. | YPN

14 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1950

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 19th Mar 2025, 04:45 GMT

These wonderful photos chart a year in the life of Leeds at the dawn of the 1950s.

1950 was the year that Leeds motorists tore their ration books into confetti after the Government announced an end to petrol rationing. It was also a 12 months which featured the visit to the city of a snooker legend. These photos plucked from the YEP archive showcase life in the city centre as well as the suburbs with Armley, Moortown, Ilkley and Rodley all in focus. READ MORE: The story of a quirky Leeds pub LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Snooker legend Joe Davis in action at Peoples Hall where he was playing a five day series against Willie Smith. Pictured in September 1950.

13. Leeds city centre

Snooker legend Joe Davis in action at Peoples Hall where he was playing a five day series against Willie Smith. Pictured in September 1950. | YPN Photo: YPN

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The double walls of Armley Prison flanking Hall Lane on the Bramley bus route. Pictured in January 1950.

14. Armley

The double walls of Armley Prison flanking Hall Lane on the Bramley bus route. Pictured in January 1950. | YPN Photo: YPN

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