Cross Greystone Street is on the left. The beginning of Metcalf Street can be seen. The shop on the right edge is 206 Kirkstall Road.placeholder image
Cross Greystone Street is on the left. The beginning of Metcalf Street can be seen. The shop on the right edge is 206 Kirkstall Road. | West Yorkshire Archive Service

Leeds retro: Nostalgic photos capture corner shops and the streets of Burley in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 3rd Nov 2026, 04:30 GMT

Burley in the 1950s: Cross Greystone Street, Poplar Street, Thornton Street, Palmerston Street and Mountains Yard in focus

Corner shops and streets filled with row upon row of terraced houses take centre stage in this gallery of memories. They turn the spotlight on Burley in the 1950s and showcase a community at work, rest and play. The images are published courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service, which collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region dating from the 12th century to the present day - more than 800 years of local history. It also runs Catablogue, an online blog dedicated to preserving the past, serving the present and protecting the future. READ MORE: Memories of lost Leeds pubs in Burley and Kirkstall LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Three houses at the end of Thornton Street, number 39 is on the left, then 41 and 43 to the right. A car body without wheels is in the road. On the right is number 8 Poplar Street, with an oriel window to the first floor.

7. Burley in the 1950s

Three houses at the end of Thornton Street, number 39 is on the left, then 41 and 43 to the right. A car body without wheels is in the road. On the right is number 8 Poplar Street, with an oriel window to the first floor. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Poplar Street showing a section of through houses. Behind them lay Back Poplar Street, access could be gained by the narrow path next to the block of outside toilets on the left. Pictured in December 1959.

8. Burley in the 1950s

Poplar Street showing a section of through houses. Behind them lay Back Poplar Street, access could be gained by the narrow path next to the block of outside toilets on the left. Pictured in December 1959. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Section of Thornton Street, number 7 is on the left, moving right numbers follow in sequence to 13.

9. Burley in the 1950s

Section of Thornton Street, number 7 is on the left, moving right numbers follow in sequence to 13. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Two shops on Poplar Street, number 4, on the left was a greengrocers business. Number 2 was the off-licence at the corner with Willow Grove.

10. Burley in the 1950s

Two shops on Poplar Street, number 4, on the left was a greengrocers business. Number 2 was the off-licence at the corner with Willow Grove. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view of Poplar Street shows number 23 on the left. Moving right are 25, 27 and 29 on the right. Behind the houses part of Olive Grove can be seen with the former methodist chapel building, fronting onto Burley Road.

11. Burley in the 1950s

This view of Poplar Street shows number 23 on the left. Moving right are 25, 27 and 29 on the right. Behind the houses part of Olive Grove can be seen with the former methodist chapel building, fronting onto Burley Road. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Through houses on Poplar Street, number 5 is on the left. The small shop on the right is number 13. In common with many corner shops a variety of goods are for sale, sweets, tobacco, ice-cream and groceries.

12. Burley in the 1950s

Through houses on Poplar Street, number 5 is on the left. The small shop on the right is number 13. In common with many corner shops a variety of goods are for sale, sweets, tobacco, ice-cream and groceries. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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