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

Wade Lane showing the Merrion Centre multi-storey car park in June 1966. To the right is the entrance to the Merrion Centre superstore. Opened in 1964, the Merrion Centre was the first shopping/leisure centre in Leeds, an early example of the mixed-use developments now prevalent in the 21st century.

25. Leeds city centre in 1966

Wade Lane showing the Merrion Centre multi-storey car park in June 1966. To the right is the entrance to the Merrion Centre superstore. Opened in 1964, the Merrion Centre was the first shopping/leisure centre in Leeds, an early example of the mixed-use developments now prevalent in the 21st century. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view looking along Trinity Street from the junction with Commercial Street in June 1966. Barratt's shoe shop is on the left. The narrow street, which is proving to be difficult for large vehicles to access, at the time led all the way down to Boar Lane, coming out by Holy Trinity Church whose spire can be seen on the skyline.

26. Leeds city centre in 1966

A view looking along Trinity Street from the junction with Commercial Street in June 1966. Barratt's shoe shop is on the left. The narrow street, which is proving to be difficult for large vehicles to access, at the time led all the way down to Boar Lane, coming out by Holy Trinity Church whose spire can be seen on the skyline. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Wade Lane showing the Merrion Hotel in January 1966. The hotel was new at the time, having been opened by the Duke of Devonshire on January 12, 1966. Shop units on the ground floor are being advertised as to let; only the one on the corner is so far occupied. These are all part of the Merrion Centre development.

27. Leeds city centre in 1966

Wade Lane showing the Merrion Hotel in January 1966. The hotel was new at the time, having been opened by the Duke of Devonshire on January 12, 1966. Shop units on the ground floor are being advertised as to let; only the one on the corner is so far occupied. These are all part of the Merrion Centre development. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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December 1966 and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh and his wife, attend the launch of the Christmas Toy Appeal, in association with the Yorkshire Evening Post. It invited people to place a toy on the Christmas tree to be given to children in need.

28. Leeds city centre in 1966

December 1966 and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh and his wife, attend the launch of the Christmas Toy Appeal, in association with the Yorkshire Evening Post. It invited people to place a toy on the Christmas tree to be given to children in need. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh and his wife, at the launch of the Leeds Council of Social Service Christmas Appeal in December 1966. The display features a Christmas tree and a garden with a nativity scene; the garden was presumably constructed by Rowley & Sons, Garden Constructors, of 3 Holt Lane, Adel, whose business is advertised on the wall behind.

29. Leeds city centre in 1966

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Alderman Joshua S. Walsh and his wife, at the launch of the Leeds Council of Social Service Christmas Appeal in December 1966. The display features a Christmas tree and a garden with a nativity scene; the garden was presumably constructed by Rowley & Sons, Garden Constructors, of 3 Holt Lane, Adel, whose business is advertised on the wall behind. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Share your memories of Leeds city centre in 1966 with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: andrew.hutchinson@jpress.co.uk or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN

30. Enjoyed this gallery?

Share your memories of Leeds city centre in 1966 with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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