The Fforde Grene pictured in April 1939. It was opened in November 1938 by the Melborne brewery. The name was taken from the Ford family estate in Staffordshire; the old hall was called Fforde Grene. Managing director of the Melborne brewery was Edward V. Ford. Located at the junction of Harehills Lane and Roundhay Road. The pub was closed in July 2004 following a police raid.placeholder image
The Fforde Grene pictured in April 1939. It was opened in November 1938 by the Melborne brewery. The name was taken from the Ford family estate in Staffordshire; the old hall was called Fforde Grene. Managing director of the Melborne brewery was Edward V. Ford. Located at the junction of Harehills Lane and Roundhay Road. The pub was closed in July 2004 following a police raid.

Harehills in the 1930s: Photos bring Fforde Grene and Burtons factory into focus

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 21st Sep 2023, 04:45 BST
Updated 7th Feb 2025, 09:46 BST

It was the decade a Harehills landmark first offered customers served up a drink and a warm welcome.

The Fforde Grene opened its doors in the 1930s and would welcome generations of revellers until the pub closed its doors in the early 2000s. The photo is one of 19 gems showcasing life around the suburb during the decade. Another local landmark brought in to focus in this gallery is the Burtons factory on Hudson Road. 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: The story of a quirky Leeds pub LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The corner of Trafford Avenue and Foundry Lane (renamed Foundry Approach) in June 1939.

7. Harehills in the 1930s

The corner of Trafford Avenue and Foundry Lane (renamed Foundry Approach) in June 1939. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Shop on the corner of Trafford Avenue and Foundry Lane (renamed Foundry Approach) in June 1939, showing advertising signs for Zebo, Brooke Bond Tea, Mansion Polish, Gold Flake and Capstan.

8. Harehills in the 1930s

Shop on the corner of Trafford Avenue and Foundry Lane (renamed Foundry Approach) in June 1939, showing advertising signs for Zebo, Brooke Bond Tea, Mansion Polish, Gold Flake and Capstan. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The corner of Seaforth Avenue and Foundry Lane in June 1939 showing a shop with advertisements for Parkinsons Pills, Players Navy Cut, a street lamp, people in the far distance and a woman with a basket. Back-to-back houses.

9. Harehills in the 1930s

The corner of Seaforth Avenue and Foundry Lane in June 1939 showing a shop with advertisements for Parkinsons Pills, Players Navy Cut, a street lamp, people in the far distance and a woman with a basket. Back-to-back houses. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Foundry Lane in September 1935.To the left is no 3 Foundry Lane - Thrift Stores Ltd. A large new sign has been put up above the shopfront selling bread, flour and butter. An imprint on the window advises customers to join the 'Shilling Club'. To the right is Broughton Terrace and the premises of Benjamin Rymer - fruit shop.

10. Harehills in the 1930s

Foundry Lane in September 1935.To the left is no 3 Foundry Lane - Thrift Stores Ltd. A large new sign has been put up above the shopfront selling bread, flour and butter. An imprint on the window advises customers to join the 'Shilling Club'. To the right is Broughton Terrace and the premises of Benjamin Rymer - fruit shop. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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St. Alban Road looking north-west away from York Road in the direction of Harehills. The junction with Brander Road is visible between the houses about half-way along. At the near end of the row of semi-detached houses is no. 49, William Hillyard & Sons, undertakers. A man and two young children can be seen walking along the causeway. Pictured in August 1939.

11. Harehills in the 1930s

St. Alban Road looking north-west away from York Road in the direction of Harehills. The junction with Brander Road is visible between the houses about half-way along. At the near end of the row of semi-detached houses is no. 49, William Hillyard & Sons, undertakers. A man and two young children can be seen walking along the causeway. Pictured in August 1939. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Shops and houses on Compton Road in June 1939 prior to improvement. Shops have awnings up. End shops have adverts for Persil, Colemans starch, Colemans mustard, Archibald Ramsden's pianos and others not identified. A man is sitting on the edge of the road by a belisha beacon.

12. Harehills in the 1930s

Shops and houses on Compton Road in June 1939 prior to improvement. Shops have awnings up. End shops have adverts for Persil, Colemans starch, Colemans mustard, Archibald Ramsden's pianos and others not identified. A man is sitting on the edge of the road by a belisha beacon. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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