Looking south-west along Eastgate towards the Eastgate roundabout on the left, with the continuation of Eastgate into the city centre leading off the right between the two identical-ended buildings. The Yorkshire Hussar public house is the left-hand of these two buildings, with Millgarth police station to the left of this. Lower down on the far left is the edge of Quarry Hill Flats. Pictured in November 1966.placeholder image
Looking south-west along Eastgate towards the Eastgate roundabout on the left, with the continuation of Eastgate into the city centre leading off the right between the two identical-ended buildings. The Yorkshire Hussar public house is the left-hand of these two buildings, with Millgarth police station to the left of this. Lower down on the far left is the edge of Quarry Hill Flats. Pictured in November 1966. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Leeds city centre: 29 of the best photos take you back to 1966

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 16th Jun 2024, 04:45 GMT

These thought-provoking photos chart a year to remember in the life of Leeds city centre.

1966 was the year Leeds and beyond enjoyed a bout of football fever as England triumphed against Germany at Wembley to win the World Cup. These photos chart the 12 months in the life of the city centre and bring into focus landmarks, news events, new openings, pubs, hotels and shops. The images are a mix from the YEP archive, West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 43 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Leeds United's participants in England's triumphant World Cup winning squad are welcomed at a reception at the Civic Hall in August 1966 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh. Pictutred, from left, are Norman Hunter, then the Lady Mayoress, Jack Charlton in the centre, the Lord Mayor and finally trainer Les Cocker.

7. Leeds city centre in 1966

Leeds United's participants in England's triumphant World Cup winning squad are welcomed at a reception at the Civic Hall in August 1966 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh. Pictutred, from left, are Norman Hunter, then the Lady Mayoress, Jack Charlton in the centre, the Lord Mayor and finally trainer Les Cocker. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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'Jubilee' class steam locomotive number 45581, named 'Bihar and Orissa', moves slowly 'tender-first' westwards through Leeds City station. That the engine is running backwards is revealed by the presence of an oil-lamp above one of the buffers, its position also confirming the locomotive is not pulling a train (known as running 'light-engine'). Pictured in July 1966.

8. Leeds city centre in 1966

'Jubilee' class steam locomotive number 45581, named 'Bihar and Orissa', moves slowly 'tender-first' westwards through Leeds City station. That the engine is running backwards is revealed by the presence of an oil-lamp above one of the buffers, its position also confirming the locomotive is not pulling a train (known as running 'light-engine'). Pictured in July 1966. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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British Legion Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Garden of Wreath on The Headrow in November 1966.. Among those present are the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua Walsh. The Town Hall and Municipal Buildings can be seen in the background, with the junction with Calverley Street in between.

9. Leeds city centre in 1966

British Legion Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Garden of Wreath on The Headrow in November 1966.. Among those present are the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua Walsh. The Town Hall and Municipal Buildings can be seen in the background, with the junction with Calverley Street in between. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Alderman A King opening the new computer room in the Civic Hall. The labour leader switched on the new ICT computer which was to prepare over 100,000 rate accounts and 10,000 wage and salary details. Pictured in February 1966.

10. Leeds city centre in 1966

Alderman A King opening the new computer room in the Civic Hall. The labour leader switched on the new ICT computer which was to prepare over 100,000 rate accounts and 10,000 wage and salary details. Pictured in February 1966. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Associated British Picture Corporation TV Offices at Permanent House on The Headrow in June 1966. The company brought independant television to Yorkshire on November 3, 1956, and provided programmes for the North. An office worker is seen at her desk in the photo.

11. Leeds city centre in 1966

Associated British Picture Corporation TV Offices at Permanent House on The Headrow in June 1966. The company brought independant television to Yorkshire on November 3, 1956, and provided programmes for the North. An office worker is seen at her desk in the photo. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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The Corn Exchange pictured in September 1966.

12. Leeds city centre in 1966

The Corn Exchange pictured in September 1966. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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