in Places & People

What Leeds looked like in the 1970s

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Leeds is a city in the county of West Yorkshire, England. In the 1970s, Leeds was a bustling industrial city with a population of around 500,000 people. The city was known for its textiles industry, which had been a major contributor to the local economy for centuries. In the 1970s, Leeds was also home to a number of other major industries, including engineering, printing, and food processing.

The 1970s were a time of significant social and cultural change in Leeds and the rest of the United Kingdom. The 1970s saw the rise of punk rock, which had a significant impact on the music scene in Leeds. The city was also home to a number of notable cultural institutions, such as the Leeds Playhouse and Leeds City Art Gallery.

In terms of politics, the 1970s were a tumultuous time in Leeds and the rest of the UK. The country was dealing with economic problems, including high inflation and rising unemployment. The government of the time, led by Prime Minister James Callaghan, faced a number of challenges, including strikes and industrial action.

#2 Opposite the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane – Austicks for stationery, Ainsley’s for sandwiches.

Opposite the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane - Austicks for stationery, Ainsley's for sandwiches.

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#5 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.

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.

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#6 Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane. The Morris Motor Company appears to have a monopoly on transport.

Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane. The Morris Motor Company appears to have a monopoly on transport.

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#12 Entrance to Kirkgate Market with its wonderful Victorian facade.

Entrance to Kirkgate Market with its wonderful Victorian facade.

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#13 This is one of the arcades that criss cross the city centre.

This is one of the arcades that criss cross the city centre.

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#14 Inside the market hall – a markedly different shopping experience from that in the ‘arcades’.

Inside the market hall - a markedly different shopping experience from that in the 'arcades'.

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#15 Newsome’s Famous Flower Corner in the Indoor Market.

Newsome's Famous Flower Corner in the Indoor Market.

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#17 Graduation Day 1973 – entrance to the Clothworkers’ Court.

Graduation Day 1973 - entrance to the Clothworkers' Court.

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#20 Theatreland, Upper Briggate. The coach would’ve been operated by the splendidly named West Yorkshire Road Car Company.

Theatreland, Upper Briggate. The coach would've been operated by the splendidly named West Yorkshire Road Car Company.

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#24 Pedestrianisation – looking towards Betty’s Cafe – and Peter Lord if you want some Clarks Shoes.

Pedestrianisation - looking towards Betty's Cafe - and Peter Lord if you want some Clarks Shoes.

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#25 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.

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.

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#26 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.

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.

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#29 The Empire on which the concrete never sets. Style a bit different compared to the Great Hall.

The Empire on which the concrete never sets. Style a bit different compared to the Great Hall.

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#30 Walking across the clearance area towards the Kirkstall Road.

Walking across the clearance area towards the Kirkstall Road.

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#32 Fishing on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Armley.

Fishing on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Armley.

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#35 Woodhouse Moor. More simple pleasures from a bygone era.

Woodhouse Moor. More simple pleasures from a bygone era.

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#39 The leafy suburbs. Probably near Weetwood Lane, What is that wonderful white car?

The leafy suburbs. Probably near Weetwood Lane, What is that wonderful white car?

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#42 Brudenell Road, looking towards the Royal Park pub.

Brudenell Road, looking towards the Royal Park pub.

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#43 Snow? An upturned table and a dry grass slope are all you need.

Snow? An upturned table and a dry grass slope are all you need.

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#44 Street play with what’s available – Leeds 4 area.

Street play with what's available - Leeds 4 area.

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#45 Sporting Arena. Definitely not Headingley – cricket at Roundhay Park.

Sporting Arena. Definitely not Headingley - cricket at Roundhay Park.

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#46 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’.

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'.

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#47 Department Stores – on your right: Debenhams. On your left: Lewis’s – which was nothing to do with John Lewis.

Department Stores - on your right: Debenhams. On your left: Lewis's - which was nothing to do with John Lewis.

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#49 Simple fun in the children’s playground propelled by push power.

Simple fun in the children's playground propelled by push power.

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#53 City of Leeds and Carnegie College – Main Building.

City of Leeds and Carnegie College - Main Building.

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#55 Temple Newsam. Whitsun 1975 – Rhododendron time.

Temple Newsam. Whitsun 1975 - Rhododendron time.

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#59 In the foreground – Housing. In the background – Industry.

In the foreground - Housing. In the background - Industry.

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#64 Exact whereabouts forgotten – but the street sign [centre left] might say Rillbank Lane.

Exact whereabouts forgotten - but the street sign [centre left] might say Rillbank Lane.

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#65 Bank Holiday fishing in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Bank Holiday fishing in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

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#69 Looking across Burley Road past the Fire Station to Yorkshire Chemicals.

Looking across Burley Road past the Fire Station to Yorkshire Chemicals.

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Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

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