Kirkstall was building for the future in the 1970s thanks to the construction of Grandways supermarket while the cooling towers of Kirkstall Power Station came crashing down. These wonderful photos showcase the decade in 15 photos which also feature well travelled streets, shops and other local landmarks. 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: 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. Kirkstall in the 1970s
Kirkstall Lane showing Grandways supermarket, seen from Victoria Road. A tall advertising tower in front of the store has a 'G' at the top and panels with the word 'Grandways' lower down. Development to the Kirkstall District Centre is going on, on the right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Kirkstall in the 1970s
Beecroft Street showing the junction with Commercial Street on the left. The building on the right is Kirkstall Liberal Club; in the front of this is the entrance to the car park of Grandways supermarket. The view stretches far into the distance with housing and industrial works to be seen, a tall industrial chimney being prominent. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Kirkstall in the 1970s
Commercial Road showing, on the left, the George IV public house at no.59, and on the right, no.71, formerly the Midland Bank. An area of wasteland is in between, with advertising hoardings at either side, for John Player cigarettes and Heldenbrau beer. Pictured in December 1979. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Kirkstall in the 1970s
A view looking from Church Street to Kirkstall Lane in July 1979, where the Kirkstall District Centre and Grandways supermarket are in the process of being built. Terraced housing on Milton Terrace can be seen on the left. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Kirkstall in the 1970s
Commercial Road from an area of wasteland adjacent to No.71. No.56 is J.Burrows Ltd, Wholesale Clothiers, who also had a factory on Sheepscar Street North. The building on the right is No.52. Free standing advertising hoarding can be seen at either side of the wasteland. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. Kirkstall in the 1970s
Kirkstall Power Station showing the final stages of the demolition of the second of the two cooling towers. The first tower had already been demolished that day in April 1979. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net