These memorable photos showcase life along a much loved city centre street linking New Briggate and Woodhouse Lane in the 1940s. Merrion Street is the focus of this wonderful collection of photos showcasing landmarks including the Garden of Rest, as well as shops and businesses along the thoroughfare throughout the decade. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: Lost city centre landmarks - The Leeds Skywalk LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Merrion Street in the 1940s
Looking south at the rest garden on Merrion Street. People sit on park benches arranged around a central square lawn. Behind is L. & M. Dombyack, furriers, at number 35 Wade Lane. Pictured in September 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Merrion Street in the 1940s
A view of the nrth side of Merrion Street showing Nos. 60 to 64, which are TripleX Safety Glass and Walt Radcliffe, Building Contractors. Billboards for McDougalls Self Raising Flour. Pictured in December 1949. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Merrion Street in the 1940s
The North side of Merrion Street, showing number 66, Mardue And Simpson, French Polishers, below, and S. Libson, Tailor (above). Next door is H. Outhwaite, Newsagent. Pictured in December 1949. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Merrion Street in the 1940s
A view along the North side of Merrion Street in December 1949 showing Nos. 64 and 66. The businesses shown are The Automobile Glass Co., Mardue And Simpson (french polishers), S. Libson (tailor) and Outhwaite's newsagents. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Merrion Street in the 1940s
A view of car park on Merrion Street in April 1947. Billboards in the background for Guinness, Atlas Lamps, Goodyear Tyres, Sagion Stuffing and Dalton's Cereal Flakes. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Merrion Street in the 1940s
Looking north east from the corner of Woodhouse Lane and Merrion Street in June 1946. Houses at the rear are labelled (left to right) M.B. Rogall, J. Scott, A. Tarpey, D. Peacock, J. Richardson, F.R. Bensley and N. Levy. The photo is labelled "showing parking conditions". | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net