The entrance to Kirkgate Market Hall at the junction of Ludgate Hill, left, and Vicar Lane, right. Paul Turner, furniture supermarket, on the left is offering a carpet fitting service. To the right of the entrance is Barker's ladieswear.placeholder image
The entrance to Kirkgate Market Hall at the junction of Ludgate Hill, left, and Vicar Lane, right. Paul Turner, furniture supermarket, on the left is offering a carpet fitting service. To the right of the entrance is Barker's ladieswear. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

28 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds city centre in the early 1970s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 15th Aug 2024, 04:45 GMT

These rarely seen photos take you back to Leeds city centre in the early 1970s.

Landmarks such as Kirkgate Market and Leeds International Pool as well as well travelled streets including The Headrow, Boar Lane, Vicar Lane, Briggate and Great Street are all featured in this rewind. All the photos featured in this gallery are circa 1971 to 1973 although the exact date is unknown. 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: 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

The former Yorkshire Evening Post headquarters on Wellington Street.

19. Leeds city centre

The former Yorkshire Evening Post headquarters on Wellington Street. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view shows the east side of Vicar Lane. On the right is the West Yorkshire Road Car Company Bus Station, known to locals as the Red Bus Station. This served mainly routes to the Yorkshire coast and to outlying towns such as Otley and Wetherby. Towards the left of the picture is the ABC cinema.

20. Leeds city centre

This view shows the east side of Vicar Lane. On the right is the West Yorkshire Road Car Company Bus Station, known to locals as the Red Bus Station. This served mainly routes to the Yorkshire coast and to outlying towns such as Otley and Wetherby. Towards the left of the picture is the ABC cinema. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Looking west along The Headrow. The Odeon Cinema is on the right, then Lewis's department store following the junction with New Briggate. The Town Hall is seen in the distance. On the left are a number of smaller shops including Coombes shoe repairs before the junction with Briggate. After this is Burton's menswear with Schofields department store further along.

21. Leeds city centre

Looking west along The Headrow. The Odeon Cinema is on the right, then Lewis's department store following the junction with New Briggate. The Town Hall is seen in the distance. On the left are a number of smaller shops including Coombes shoe repairs before the junction with Briggate. After this is Burton's menswear with Schofields department store further along. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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George Street looking towards Dyer Street with Quarry Hill Flats in the background, left. A car park is on the right before the junction with East Lane. Further along on Dyer Street are stalls of Kirkgate Outdoor Market including Peter Kamil, cloth retailer.

22. Leeds city centre

George Street looking towards Dyer Street with Quarry Hill Flats in the background, left. A car park is on the right before the junction with East Lane. Further along on Dyer Street are stalls of Kirkgate Outdoor Market including Peter Kamil, cloth retailer. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Leeds International Pool at Westgate. Designed by John Poulson, it opened on September 23, 1967, and featured a 50 metre long pool. It closed in October 2007 and was demolished in 2009.

23. Leeds city centre

Leeds International Pool at Westgate. Designed by John Poulson, it opened on September 23, 1967, and featured a 50 metre long pool. It closed in October 2007 and was demolished in 2009. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view looking north along Wade Lane. The Merrion Hotel, opened on January 12, 1966, is on the left, with the entrance to the Merrion Centre in front. This shopping centre was opened in 1964 and is an early example of a mixed-use development, with offices, entertainment and car parking also included. The car park is seen in the background here, with the office block Tower House behind.

24. Leeds city centre

A view looking north along Wade Lane. The Merrion Hotel, opened on January 12, 1966, is on the left, with the entrance to the Merrion Centre in front. This shopping centre was opened in 1964 and is an early example of a mixed-use development, with offices, entertainment and car parking also included. The car park is seen in the background here, with the office block Tower House behind. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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