Looking south along Vicar Lane showing shops on the west side in January 1976. On the right is Cashdisia, ladies, mens and childrens wear, then after the junction with Queen Victoria Street are Peter Eastwood menswear, Wigfalls TV and electrical, Halfords cycle and car accessories and John Collier tailor. Next is the junction with King Edward Street then the Famous Army Stores.placeholder image
Looking south along Vicar Lane showing shops on the west side in January 1976. On the right is Cashdisia, ladies, mens and childrens wear, then after the junction with Queen Victoria Street are Peter Eastwood menswear, Wigfalls TV and electrical, Halfords cycle and car accessories and John Collier tailor. Next is the junction with King Edward Street then the Famous Army Stores. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

12 of the best colour photos celebrate life in Leeds city centre during the 1970s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 1st Feb 2025, 04:45 GMT

They are the colour photos which help bring Leeds city centre to life in the 1970s.

This wonderful gallery is sure to spark memories from a generation of people who visted the heart of Leeds for work, rest or play during the decade. 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 of the best colour photos celebrate life in Leeds during the 1980s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The side of the General Post Office building from Quebec Street. It fronts on to City Square, off to the right, and was designed in a Renaissance style by the Board of Work's architect Henry Tanner. It was built at a cost of £75,000 and opened in 1896. This ohoto from April 1979 has a sign saying 'All Enquiries' superimposed on the image by the planning departmaent.

7. Leeds city centre

The side of the General Post Office building from Quebec Street. It fronts on to City Square, off to the right, and was designed in a Renaissance style by the Board of Work's architect Henry Tanner. It was built at a cost of £75,000 and opened in 1896. This ohoto from April 1979 has a sign saying 'All Enquiries' superimposed on the image by the planning departmaent. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A brightly decorated float by Lewis's department store in association with Trebor. It was one of 70 floats which paraded through the streets of Leeds on the occasion of the 6th Annual Lord Mayor's Parade in June 1979. The procession was over a mile long and included eight marching bands and 400 drum majorettes. 50,000 people turned out to watch. The theme for the parade was 'Together with Children'. Lewis's chose to design this large dog and rocking horse which was cleverly decorated with over 30,000 pink, white and green ribbon bows.

8. Leeds city centre

A brightly decorated float by Lewis's department store in association with Trebor. It was one of 70 floats which paraded through the streets of Leeds on the occasion of the 6th Annual Lord Mayor's Parade in June 1979. The procession was over a mile long and included eight marching bands and 400 drum majorettes. 50,000 people turned out to watch. The theme for the parade was 'Together with Children'. Lewis's chose to design this large dog and rocking horse which was cleverly decorated with over 30,000 pink, white and green ribbon bows. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A busy Albion Place looking east across Briggate towards King Edward Street in March 1975. On the left are Hornes and Dunn & Co., both menswear shops. On the right is Bailey's, another menswear shop, then a vacant shop previously occupied by Marcus Price, also menswear. This is followed by Cyril Livingstone, ladieswear, P. Jones, china and glass, the Brook Street Bureau employment agency and Dolcis footwear.

9. Leeds city centre

A busy Albion Place looking east across Briggate towards King Edward Street in March 1975. On the left are Hornes and Dunn & Co., both menswear shops. On the right is Bailey's, another menswear shop, then a vacant shop previously occupied by Marcus Price, also menswear. This is followed by Cyril Livingstone, ladieswear, P. Jones, china and glass, the Brook Street Bureau employment agency and Dolcis footwear. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Briggate showing the junction with King Edward Street in the centre. The two matching buildings on either side of the junction, with elaborate towers, are both Grade II listed buildings and were designed by Frank Matcham in 1898-1900 for the Leeds Estates Company as part of the County Arcade development. They are occupied here by Dunn & Co., menswear, and Debenhams department store. Kirkgate Market is seen in the background. Pictured in March 1975.

10. Leeds city centre

Briggate showing the junction with King Edward Street in the centre. The two matching buildings on either side of the junction, with elaborate towers, are both Grade II listed buildings and were designed by Frank Matcham in 1898-1900 for the Leeds Estates Company as part of the County Arcade development. They are occupied here by Dunn & Co., menswear, and Debenhams department store. Kirkgate Market is seen in the background. Pictured in March 1975. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The damaged remains of Kirkgate Market in January 1976 following a massive fire which spread through the building on December 13, 1975, destroying two thirds of it. Most of the 1857 section of the market was completely gutted but firefighters managed to save the 1904 frontage onto Vicar Lane and Butchers' Row. Work soon started to restore the rest of the building and by July 1976 a new replacement hall had been completed and opened.

11. Leeds city centre

The damaged remains of Kirkgate Market in January 1976 following a massive fire which spread through the building on December 13, 1975, destroying two thirds of it. Most of the 1857 section of the market was completely gutted but firefighters managed to save the 1904 frontage onto Vicar Lane and Butchers' Row. Work soon started to restore the rest of the building and by July 1976 a new replacement hall had been completed and opened. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Victoria Mills, a grade II listed building on the south side of Sovereign Street. The red brick built mill on four and five storeys dates from 1836 when it was an oil and dye works. Pictured in December 1979.

12. Leeds city centre

Victoria Mills, a grade II listed building on the south side of Sovereign Street. The red brick built mill on four and five storeys dates from 1836 when it was an oil and dye works. Pictured in December 1979. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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