Shops on Briggate, from left, are Watson Cairns, Direct Woollen Co, Royal Hotel, Lamberts Chambers. Entrance to Bowers Yard and Whip pub can also be seen. Pictured in March 1936. Shops on Briggate, from left, are Watson Cairns, Direct Woollen Co, Royal Hotel, Lamberts Chambers. Entrance to Bowers Yard and Whip pub can also be seen. Pictured in March 1936.
Shops on Briggate, from left, are Watson Cairns, Direct Woollen Co, Royal Hotel, Lamberts Chambers. Entrance to Bowers Yard and Whip pub can also be seen. Pictured in March 1936.

Leeds city centre: 12 photos showcase brilliant Briggate in the 1930s

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These photos put the brilliant into Briggate as they chart a decade in the life of the much-loved city centre throughfare.

Shops, pubs and landmarks take centre stage in this nostalgia rewind to the 1930s, a decade defined by a global economic and political crisis that culminated in the Second World War. They showcase day to day life as well as the pace of change with a city building for the future. 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: 16 brilliant photos take you down Briggate in the 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free news and sport emails

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