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

Looking along Alfred Street from Boar Lane in May 1966. On the corners are Dunn & Co., hatters (left) and the National Provincial Bank (right). At the far end of Alfred Street are the former premises of C.W. Agencies Ltd., wholesale toys and sports goods, now advertised as 'sold' and John Whitehead and Sons Ltd., printers and lithographers.

13. Leeds city centre in 1966

Looking along Alfred Street from Boar Lane in May 1966. On the corners are Dunn & Co., hatters (left) and the National Provincial Bank (right). At the far end of Alfred Street are the former premises of C.W. Agencies Ltd., wholesale toys and sports goods, now advertised as 'sold' and John Whitehead and Sons Ltd., printers and lithographers. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Cantral newsagents on Bishopgate Street in February 1966.

14. Leeds city centre in 1966

Cantral newsagents on Bishopgate Street in February 1966. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Bond Street showing the premises of B.S. Matthews, Kell & Co. Ltd., typewriters, stationers, office equipment and supplies. Pictured in November 1966.

15. Leeds city centre in 1966

Bond Street showing the premises of B.S. Matthews, Kell & Co. Ltd., typewriters, stationers, office equipment and supplies. Pictured in November 1966. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Marlborough Towers, a high-rise block of flats on Duncombe Street, taken in the year of its completion, 1966. The flats rise to a height of 47 metres over 17 floors.

16. Leeds city centre in 1966

Marlborough Towers, a high-rise block of flats on Duncombe Street, taken in the year of its completion, 1966. The flats rise to a height of 47 metres over 17 floors. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The annual parade of the Leeds Dunkirk Veterans' Association marches past the Civic Hall in Jujne 1966, watched on the steps by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh, and other officials.

17. Leeds city centre in 1966

The annual parade of the Leeds Dunkirk Veterans' Association marches past the Civic Hall in Jujne 1966, watched on the steps by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh, and other officials. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh, is seen being presented with a coach by the Yorkshire Regional Committee of the Variety Club of Great Britain, outside the Civic Hall in June 1966. The £1,200 11 seater minibus, equipped with safety belts on each seat, is to be used for pupils of the Hunslet Lane and Grafton Special Schools, mainly to take the children on weekend and summer holiday trips.

18. Leeds city centre in 1966

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh, is seen being presented with a coach by the Yorkshire Regional Committee of the Variety Club of Great Britain, outside the Civic Hall in June 1966. The £1,200 11 seater minibus, equipped with safety belts on each seat, is to be used for pupils of the Hunslet Lane and Grafton Special Schools, mainly to take the children on weekend and summer holiday trips. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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