Lands Lane was pedestrianised in 1972 allowing shoppers an opportunity to hunt for bargains away from exhaust fumes and vehicle noise. The precinct and fountain were opened on April 12, 1972, by the Environment Secretary Peter Walker MP. The dawn of the decade had earlier welcomed the opening of the Trinity shopping centre in December 1970. The thoroughfare was known for the Schofield’s department store Theatre Royal, Scala Cinema. Another firm Lands Lane favourite among shoppers was Bettys cafe which enjoyed a 40 year stint in the city centre before closing at the end of March 1974. Enjoy these photos, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, which are sure to evoke memories for a generation of people who visited Lands Lane during the 1970s. READ MORE: 14 photo gems chart rise and fall of Bettys cafe in Leeds city centre LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Lands Lane looking in the direction of Commercial Street in April 19i72. On the left are: The Light Bite, King Jobs, job centre at number 26, John Peters'Furniture Store in the 1922 Scala House, formerly a cinema and Ivey Travel on the corner with Albion Place. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Lands Lane looking towards The Headrow in April 1972. Left and right the junctions with Albion Place are visible. The Church Institute building is on the left hand corner and John Peters furnishing stores is on the right. John Peters also occupies the ground floor of Scala House which opened as a cinema in 1922 | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Lands Lane precinct at the corner with Albion Place in April 1979. From the left, on Albion Place, shops include Bailey's, Nicola Anne, Willerby, Royce Manshop Ltd at number 27, Brandon House Ltd jeweller's at 28 and Ivey Travel at number 6 Lands Lane. A sign in the foreground informs that Lands Lane is a paved zone with vehicle restrictions. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Lands Lane in the 1970s
A busy Lands Lane on a Saturday afternoon in December 1979. | YPN Photo: YPN