The much-loved Leeds attractions people wish they could bring back including The Duchess and

The lost Leeds attractions readers would love to see return

Leeds has changed dramatically over the years, and a host of much-loved attractions, shops, venues and traditions have disappeared along the way.

The last night at The Duchess, Vicar Lane, Leeds.

placeholder image — The last night at The Duchess, Vicar Lane, Leeds.

So the Yorkshire Evening Post asked our readers: “The Leeds attraction of the past that I’d love to bring back is…”

And the answers brought back plenty of memories - from rowing boats on Roundhay Park's Waterloo Lake to legendary music venues, old cinemas, swimming pools and department stores.

Several suggestions included renting a rowing boat by the hour on Waterloo Lake, the Lido open-air baths at Roundhay Park, and brass bands playing at the bandstand at Roundhay Park on Sunday afternoons.

Roundhay Park was also mentioned by Sue Medley, who simply answered: “Roundhay outdoor pool.”

Music fans had plenty of nostalgia of their own.

Paul Cockcroft chose The Duchess, describing it as a “much loved live music venue”, while Mick Mayne replied: “100 per cent.”

Part of the long queue for the sale at Schofields department store, on The Headrow, Leeds, in January 1976 | YPN

Other former venues mentioned included Queens Hall, the Empire Theatre and and Bar Phono.

There was also plenty of love for the city's former shops and shopping experiences.

Lorraine Foster remembered Schofields and Woolworths, while Becky Hession picked Debenhams, adding: “Not an attraction but Debenhams.”

Rufus Yeates went even more specific, remembering the Marks & Spencer penny stall in the Market Place.

For some readers, it was the city's sporting and leisure attractions that made the biggest impression.

Catherine Ratchford nominated the Olympics swimming pool, while David Graham joked about its name, saying: “It’s ironic that it was called the Olympic pool but was too small to be used in the Olympics.”

Interior of Leeds International Pool. | YPN

Meanwhile Paul Dexter remembered roller skating at the rink on Kirkstall Road next door to YTV.

There were plenty of more unusual memories too.

Eleanor Gilmartin chose Tetleys Brewery, along with its “wonderful dray horses and carts”.

And Keith Fuller took a rather different view of what makes a Leeds attraction, simply wishing for “parks with bedding plants and mowed lawns.”

Perhaps the most concise answer came from Donny Ged, who said the attraction he'd bring back was simply: “Welcoming people.”

From historic venues and vanished shops to swimming pools, parks and some wonderfully specific childhood memories, the responses show just how many different versions of old Leeds people still remember.