It was the year more than 100 years of frying tonight history ended at a city centre restaurant. The doors closed for the last time after tea at Youngman’s off Briggate in February 1989. “It is a sad day for us all,” said William Bettison, whose wife Sylvia was the grand-daughter of Robert Youngman who founded the business in 1885. George Cooke and his wife Ivy, who were due to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in the July, used to go to Youngman’s when they were courting and were among the last customers. “It’s a shock for us. We shan’t know where to go instead.” The story is one of 23 photo memories which chart life around Leeds city centre in 1989. It was also a 12 months which the unveiling of an intriguing brick design on an approach road into Leeds which had left motorists scratching their heads for weeks. All was revealed in June 1989 when council chiefs officially presented to the city the 25ft design - which read ‘Welcome to Leeds’ - in a ceremony marking the completion of a £30,000 scheme to brighten up the city’s southern gateway. More than 7,000 multi-coloured bricks were used to make up the words in the design, which today still stands proud on a steep banking near Parkfield Street. Leeds City Council’s parks staff added a splash of colour with hundreds of summer bedding plants. The images are a mix from 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: Lost city centre landmarks - The Leeds Skywalk LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Leeds city centre
February 1989 and some of the staff at Youngman's serve up one of the last meals in the restaurant. Pictured, from left, are Alice Brookes, Vivienne Bowers, Anne Sissons, Audrey Smith and Sandra Jubb. | YPN Photo: YPN
2. Leeds city centre
Well known Yorkshire celebrities were keeping an eye on the progress of an up market shopping development. Chat show host Michael Parkinson, Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey and actress Maureen Lipman shared star billing on a 30,000ft hoarding at the Corn Exchange. The scheme was due to accommodate between 30 and 40 units including shops, restaurants, bars and a heritage museum. | YPN Photo: YPN
3. Leeds city centre
March 1989 and Westgate Point stood at the gateway to the city, | YPN Photo: YPN
4. Leeds city centre
February 1989 and Manpower Plc had long been the world's largest temporary staff company, and probably its best known. The firm had been providing city employers with temporary staff for more than 12 years from their branches at 12 Infirmary Street and 73 Albion Street. | YPN Photo: YPN
5. Leeds city centre
Do you remember David Share jeweller on Albion Street? Pictured in November 1989. | YPN Photo: YPN
6. Leeds city centre
New prices were in operation at the Harper Street car park in February 1989 -35 p for one hour. | YPN Photo: YPN