Commercial Street, right, at the junction with Lands Lane, left. The area was pedestrianised in the 1970s. On the corner, left, is Collingwood Jewellers at numbers 8 and 9 Commercial Street. Barratts shoe shop is at the right edge, with a sale in progress, at numbers 36 to 38 Commercial Street. Shoes on the display outside are priced at 8,9,10 and 12 pounds. Next door is Foto Processing at number 39 followed by DER Television Rental and Beaverbrooks at numbers 40 and 41 respectively. Pictured in September 1982.placeholder image
Commercial Street, right, at the junction with Lands Lane, left. The area was pedestrianised in the 1970s. On the corner, left, is Collingwood Jewellers at numbers 8 and 9 Commercial Street. Barratts shoe shop is at the right edge, with a sale in progress, at numbers 36 to 38 Commercial Street. Shoes on the display outside are priced at 8,9,10 and 12 pounds. Next door is Foto Processing at number 39 followed by DER Television Rental and Beaverbrooks at numbers 40 and 41 respectively. Pictured in September 1982.

22 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1982

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 29th Jan 2024, 04:45 GMT

These photos focus on a year in the life of your Leeds in the early 1980s.

1982 falls under the spotlight with city centre landmarks and shops showcased before the gallery moves into the suburbs with memories from Armley, Roundhay, Morley, Pudsey and Harehills all featured. The images are published courtesy of 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: 26 Leeds shops you visited during the 1980s from the city centre to the suburbs LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

looking from the end of Armley Lodge Road towards Ledgard Way with Armley Road running across the middle of the picture in the background in January 1982. Ledgard Way was named after Samuel Ledgard, who, as well as running a leading independent bus company and haulage business, was also the landlord of The Nelson Hotel, seen just to the left of the left tower block (Westerly Croft). The other tower block, towards the right, is Westerly Rise. Both blocks of flats date from the early 1960s (Westerly Croft 1962, Westerly Rise 1963) and contain 12 floors at a height of 36 metres.

7. Leeds in 1980s

looking from the end of Armley Lodge Road towards Ledgard Way with Armley Road running across the middle of the picture in the background in January 1982. Ledgard Way was named after Samuel Ledgard, who, as well as running a leading independent bus company and haulage business, was also the landlord of The Nelson Hotel, seen just to the left of the left tower block (Westerly Croft). The other tower block, towards the right, is Westerly Rise. Both blocks of flats date from the early 1960s (Westerly Croft 1962, Westerly Rise 1963) and contain 12 floors at a height of 36 metres. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Armley Road looking west towards the junction with Branch Road (left), Stanningley Road (ahead) and Ledgard Way (right). The Nelson public house is on the right. For many years the landlord of this establishment was Samuel Ledgard, more famous as the owner of a major independent bus company. On the far left is part of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, later to become a branch of Mike's Carpets. Pictured in January 1982.

8. Leeds in 1982

Armley Road looking west towards the junction with Branch Road (left), Stanningley Road (ahead) and Ledgard Way (right). The Nelson public house is on the right. For many years the landlord of this establishment was Samuel Ledgard, more famous as the owner of a major independent bus company. On the far left is part of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, later to become a branch of Mike's Carpets. Pictured in January 1982. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Pudsey's\ Manor House Street showing from left Barclays Bank, then W.H. Bowman, butchers, Manor House insurance consultants including the local office of the Woolwich Building Society, and on the right the offices of St. John's Ambulance Brigade. In the background on the left the junction with Lowtown can be seen, with shops including G.W. Marsh, TV rental. Pictured in April 1982.

9. Leeds in 1982

Pudsey's\ Manor House Street showing from left Barclays Bank, then W.H. Bowman, butchers, Manor House insurance consultants including the local office of the Woolwich Building Society, and on the right the offices of St. John's Ambulance Brigade. In the background on the left the junction with Lowtown can be seen, with shops including G.W. Marsh, TV rental. Pictured in April 1982. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
County Arcade looking in the direction of Vicar Lane in Julky 1982. The arcade was designed by renowned Theatre and Music Hall architect, Frank Matcham, and built between 1898 and 1903. The arcade was built on the former site of Cheapside and the Shambles including Queen Victoria and King Edward Streets. In this 1980s image it is possible to see many fine details such as the ornate cast iron first floor balconies and the columns and pilasters of Sienna marble. Some of the shops & businesses seen include Saltaire Galleries, Waynes shoe shop, Acropolis Coffee Lounge and, at the right edge, Walco Footwear, Luggage and Leathergoods at numbers 11 to 13. The entrance to Queen Victoria Street is behind the women looking in the window of Saltaire Galleries, left of centre.

10. Leeds in 1982

County Arcade looking in the direction of Vicar Lane in Julky 1982. The arcade was designed by renowned Theatre and Music Hall architect, Frank Matcham, and built between 1898 and 1903. The arcade was built on the former site of Cheapside and the Shambles including Queen Victoria and King Edward Streets. In this 1980s image it is possible to see many fine details such as the ornate cast iron first floor balconies and the columns and pilasters of Sienna marble. Some of the shops & businesses seen include Saltaire Galleries, Waynes shoe shop, Acropolis Coffee Lounge and, at the right edge, Walco Footwear, Luggage and Leathergoods at numbers 11 to 13. The entrance to Queen Victoria Street is behind the women looking in the window of Saltaire Galleries, left of centre. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
St. Paul's Street in the city centre showing, from left, no. 53, a vacant warehouse building, no. 55 The Buffet cafe and no. 57 Silvio's Bakery. St. Paul's Gallery occupies the floor above the latter. An entranceway between nos. 55 and 57 leads into a yard at the back. Pictured in November 1982.

11. Leeds in 1982

St. Paul's Street in the city centre showing, from left, no. 53, a vacant warehouse building, no. 55 The Buffet cafe and no. 57 Silvio's Bakery. St. Paul's Gallery occupies the floor above the latter. An entranceway between nos. 55 and 57 leads into a yard at the back. Pictured in November 1982. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Photo Sales
A row of shops and businesses on Street Lane in Roundhay. These include Trustee Savings Bank, Crockatt Cleaning, Leeds and Holbeck Building Society and The Coffee Shop. Pictured in March 1982.

12. Leeds in 1982

A row of shops and businesses on Street Lane in Roundhay. These include Trustee Savings Bank, Crockatt Cleaning, Leeds and Holbeck Building Society and The Coffee Shop. Pictured in March 1982. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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