The rear of the Town Hall in St. George Street where the Gentlemens' public toilets are located. An elderly man in flat cap stands in the doorway.placeholder image
The rear of the Town Hall in St. George Street where the Gentlemens' public toilets are located. An elderly man in flat cap stands in the doorway. | Eric Jaquier

12 photo gems take you back to Leeds city centre in 1969

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 11th Apr 2026, 04:30 BST

1969 is the focus of this gallery of memories charting a year in the life of the city centre.

The photos showcase the daily hustle and bustle of people going about their everyday business in the heart of Leeds. City centre landmarks, shops and street scenes are also captured in this wonderful look back at life during the 12 months. The images are a mix from the YEP archive, West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of Eric Jaquier as well as photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Watch - Secrets of Leeds Queens Hotel revealed including hidden tunnel LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

On the left of the photo from November 1969 is the Back Hanover Avenue, gable end entrance to number 11 Hanover View. On the right can be seen Back Hanover View, here are the rear entrances and yards of through terraced houses on Hanover View.

7. Leeds city centre

On the left of the photo from November 1969 is the Back Hanover Avenue, gable end entrance to number 11 Hanover View. On the right can be seen Back Hanover View, here are the rear entrances and yards of through terraced houses on Hanover View. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Back Hanover View in November 1969. The photo shows the rear entrances and yards of through terraced houses numbers 12 to 16 Hanover Grove. Each yard has an outside toilet block. A milk bottle awaits collection from the yard wall of number 12 on the left. The door of number 16 on the right is bricked up and the upstairs window has been smashed.

8. Leeds city centre

Back Hanover View in November 1969. The photo shows the rear entrances and yards of through terraced houses numbers 12 to 16 Hanover Grove. Each yard has an outside toilet block. A milk bottle awaits collection from the yard wall of number 12 on the left. The door of number 16 on the right is bricked up and the upstairs window has been smashed. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Hanover Avenue and Hanover Mount pictured in November 1969. The photo shows the rear entrances and yards of a row of through terraced houses numbers 2 to 8 Hanover Mount. Outside toilets, one shared between two homes are located in the yards. In the foreground is a grassed area where a man is visible on the left.

9. Leeds city centre

Hanover Avenue and Hanover Mount pictured in November 1969. The photo shows the rear entrances and yards of a row of through terraced houses numbers 2 to 8 Hanover Mount. Outside toilets, one shared between two homes are located in the yards. In the foreground is a grassed area where a man is visible on the left. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Warehouses near Salem Church pictured in February 1969. Premises of Kirk, Hall and Co, flagmakers, No 4 Kidacre Street. Also shows premises of Brown and Rose, Motor Engineers.

10. Leeds city centre

Warehouses near Salem Church pictured in February 1969. Premises of Kirk, Hall and Co, flagmakers, No 4 Kidacre Street. Also shows premises of Brown and Rose, Motor Engineers. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view of flyover under construction in January 1969 with Bridge Street in foreground and Templar Street to left. In the foreground there are stone, brick, concrete, and wooden pallets. In the middle ground there are pipes and wooden building materials. Business premises on Templar Street are visible.

11. Leeds city centre

A view of flyover under construction in January 1969 with Bridge Street in foreground and Templar Street to left. In the foreground there are stone, brick, concrete, and wooden pallets. In the middle ground there are pipes and wooden building materials. Business premises on Templar Street are visible. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Scaffold, singing group, visiting BBC Radio Leeds to judge a singing dogs competition in February 1969. From Liverpool they are poet Roger McGough, humourist John Gorman and musician Mike McGear (Paul McCartney's brother).

12. Leeds city centre

The Scaffold, singing group, visiting BBC Radio Leeds to judge a singing dogs competition in February 1969. From Liverpool they are poet Roger McGough, humourist John Gorman and musician Mike McGear (Paul McCartney's brother). | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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