A glimpse into 1970s Leeds is captured on these nostalgic images which show a very different city to the one we know. The photographs were taken by Eric Miles.
Shoppers crossing Lands Lane. |
Opposite the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane - Austicks for stationery, Ainsley's for sandwiches. |
Pedestrianisation - looking towards Betty's Cafe - and Peter Lord if you want some Clarks Shoes. |
Kirkgate Market still covered in grime. And new premises for the Leeds not-so-Permanent in the long run Building Society. High & Mighty on the extreme left and Thom's. |
Entrance to Kirkgate Market with its wonderful Victorian facade. |
This is one of the arcades that criss cross the city centre. |
Inside the market hall - a markedly different shopping experience from that in the 'arcades'. |
Interior of one of the Victorian Arcades. In those days you could pop in to a tool factor/ironmongers and seek advice on the right kit for making a stopped-housing joint. |
Big Mechanical-Clock in Thornton's Arcade. |
Parkinson Building and Tower. |
University originated as the Yorkshire College of Science. This is the Great Hall designed by Alfred Waterhouse RA in the inevitable Gothic style, and built in the 1880s for £22,000. |
Lower Briggate. |
Exterior of Thornton's Arcade. |
Newsome's Famous Flower Corner in the Indoor Market. |
Shop in that part of Kirkgate Market. |
Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane. |
Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane. The Morris Motor Company appears to have a monopoly on transport. |
The halls of academe, Leeds University. |
The Empire on which the concrete never sets. Style a bit different compared to the Great Hall. |
Graduation Day 1973 - entrance to the Clothworkers' Court. |
Sunday Morning. Woodhouse Moor. |
City of Leeds and Carnegie hall of residence. |
Horse and cart on Brudenell Road |
Brudenell Road, looking towards the Royal Park pub. |
Slum clearance, near Burley road, 1972. |
Slum clearance, Burley Road. |
Slum clearance, Burley Road. |
Walking across the clearance area towards the Kirkstall Road. |
Slum clearance. |
Fishing on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Armley. |
Snow? An upturned table and a dry grass slope are all you need. |
Street play with what's available - Leeds 4 area. |
Leeds-Liverpool Canal 1973. |
Sporting Arena. Definitely not Headingley - cricket at Roundhay Park. |
Temple Newsam, Whitsun, 1975. |
Urban River Bank. |
Theatreland, Upper Briggate. The coach would've been operated by the splendidly named West Yorkshire Road Car Company. |
Top end of Vicar Lane. To your right - the ABC cinema. To your left - Tate of Leeds: Ford dealers - The 'NEW ESCORT' is 'now on show'. |
Exact whereabouts forgotten - but the street sign [centre left] might say Rillbank Lane. |
Department Stores - on your right: Debenhams. On your left: Lewis's - which was nothing to do with John Lewis. |
The pavement is our playground. |
Kirkstall Abbey. |
River Aire. |
Bank Holiday fishing in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. |
Moorland Road - waiting to make a call. |
Simple fun in the children's playground propelled by push power. |
Delph Lane area. |
Kirkstall Road, looking towards YTV Studios. |
Cardigan Road. Coal Depot. |
Kirkgate Market. |
Albion Place looking east towards Briggate. |
Lands Lane. |
Number 58 Circular ascending Belle Vue Road. |
Woodhouse Moor. More simple pleasures from a bygone era. |
Branksome Place. |
Church demolition. |
Brudenell Road. |
City of Leeds and Carnegie College - Main Building. |
Town Hall. |
Even the dog gets a turn at skipping. |
Temple Newsam. Courtyard Cafe. |
Temple Newsam. Whitsun 1975 - Rhododendron time. |
Lands Lane. |
City Square. Exhibition Hall. |
City Square. |
The leafy suburbs. Probably near Weetwood Lane, What is that wonderful white car? |
Bardon Grange. |
Looking towards Kirkstall Road. |
In the foreground - Housing. In the background - Industry. |
Looking across Burley Road past the Fire Station to Yorkshire Chemicals. |
(Photos by Eric Miles)