These wonderful photos rewind to the 1970s and reveal Leeds city centre as a great place to work, rest and play. Shopping streets including including Boar Lane, Briggate, Commercial Street and Albion Place take centre stage. Other photos go inside city centre businesses and also include memories from the aftermath of one of Leeds' s biggest ever disasters, when fire all-but destroyed Kirkgate Market. They are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service as well as Leeds Planning Department and West Yorkshire Archive Service. READ MORE: How Kirkgate Market rose from the ashes in the 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Leeds city centre
Boar Lane in the mid 1970s showing the temporary premises of Rawcliffes, whose Duncan Street store was in the middle of a major renovation. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds city centre in 1970s
Park Row at the junction with South Parade - where the Securicor van is seen - in January 1979. A bike is parked outside railings and pictured is an entrance to The Bank, a soon to open new wine bar. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Leeds city centre
This photo takes you inside the factory of David Little and Company Limited, wholesale clothiers, located at Park Place. It was taken in December 1970. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
4. Leeds city centre
Cliff Richard taken at Green Shield Stamps on Eastgate in April 1970. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service
5. Leeds city centre
An aerial view showing the destruction caused by a fire at Kirkgate Market in Dece,mber 1975. Around four acres of the site was destroyed in the blaze which took 110 fireman two hours to control. | YPN Photo: YPN
6. Leeds city centre
Lower Headrow House, located in Bramley's Yard off The Headrow. Pictured in December 1979. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net