Mill Hill in December 1979 taken from Bishopgate Street. On the Right is William Hill bookmakers then Bibi's Pizza Restaurant. Further along is an amusement arcade. In the background is Bond Street. Just visible on the left is the Black Lion public house.placeholder image
Mill Hill in December 1979 taken from Bishopgate Street. On the Right is William Hill bookmakers then Bibi's Pizza Restaurant. Further along is an amusement arcade. In the background is Bond Street. Just visible on the left is the Black Lion public house.

27 photos take you back to Leeds in 1979

By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 13th Dec 2021, 04:45 GMT
Updated 13th Dec 2021, 06:16 GMT

These photo gems celebrate a year in the life of Leeds at the end of the 1970s.

1979 felt like the winds of economic and social change were blowing into Leeds, a city whose residents kept smiling despite life, at times, being a struggle. It was a 12 months which West Yorkshire County Council planners rejected plans for an £80,000 Park Row footbridge in the city centre - part of a prestigious walkway in the sky - saying it contravened building regulations and was dangerous. These photos are a mix fromn the YEP archive and others 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: 18 photos take you back to Leeds in 1978 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Call Lane Amusement Centre at with the Star and Garter public house on the right in December 1979.

13. Leeds in 1979

Call Lane Amusement Centre at with the Star and Garter public house on the right in December 1979. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Pedestrians struggle through a snow blizzard in the Leeds city centre in February 1979.

14. Leeds city centre

Pedestrians struggle through a snow blizzard in the Leeds city centre in February 1979. | YPN Photo: YPN

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The Willis Ludlow department store on the Ludgate Hill side of Kirkgate Market pictured in January 1979. Shoppers are looking in the windows which advertise 'Huge Savings'.

15. Leeds in 1979

The Willis Ludlow department store on the Ludgate Hill side of Kirkgate Market pictured in January 1979. Shoppers are looking in the windows which advertise 'Huge Savings'. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Crockatt Cleaners on Commercial Street in January 1979. The shop sign has been removed and a planning application made for a new one. The next shop along is Silvio's cakes.

16. Leeds city centre

Crockatt Cleaners on Commercial Street in January 1979. The shop sign has been removed and a planning application made for a new one. The next shop along is Silvio's cakes. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Crescent Social Club, formerly the Crescent Cinema, at the junction of Dewsbury Road and Parkside Lane. Pictured in May 1979.

17. Beeston

The Crescent Social Club, formerly the Crescent Cinema, at the junction of Dewsbury Road and Parkside Lane. Pictured in May 1979. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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King Street looking towards East Parade in Aprilk 1979. The Hotel Metropole is in the foreground right.

18. Leeds city centre

King Street looking towards East Parade in Aprilk 1979. The Hotel Metropole is in the foreground right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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