These charming photos chart a year in the life of the city centre in the early 1950s. They transport you back to 1952 and showcase trams, traffic jams and the daily hustle and bustle of life around the heart of Leeds. It was a 12 months which your city melted in the ice cream heat while the gallery features memories of Vicar Lane, Cookridge Street and Leeds Central Station. 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: 14 of the best photos take you back to Leeds in 1950 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
A tram in City Square, number 86, destination Harehills. In the background to the left of the tram the entrance to Leeds City Station is visible, with Woodland's Chemists to the left of it. Also on the left, at the edge, is the News Theatre, part of The Queen's Hotel building. Pictured in July 1952. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds city centre
Vicar Lane in December 1952. The photo shows numbers 50 - 58 north east side from opposite Ludgate Hill. Buildings include National Provincial Bank, Maxwells clothes shop, Commercial Cafe and clubs, Zuckers wool and silk shop, Timms and Dibson, Max Williams and a fur shop. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Leeds city centre
Vicar Lane in December 1952. In view are numbers 50 - 56 on the northeast side. Shows National Provincial Bank, Commercial Restaurant, Maxwells clothes shop, tram lines and tram wires. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Leeds city centre
Cars parked along Central Station wall. On the wall are advertising hoardings for Guinness, Andrews Liver Salts and Iglodine Antiseptic, also a sign pointing to Collinson's Cafe. Above is the railway platform roof. Pictured in December 1952. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Leeds city centre
Front view of Central station from Station Approach/Wellington Street Junction. Cars and tramlines are visible, as are adverts for, excursions to Manchester, Guiness, Lewis's, Earls cement,Carrs, Old Angus Lager. Pictured in December 1952. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Leeds city centre
The west side of Cookridge Street in January 1952. Pictured, from left, are number 25, Austicks' Bookshop, whose window display is visible; number 31, Hay & Humphries Ltd, ale and stout bottlers. Their window advertises that they bottle for Guinness and Hey's Gold Cup Ale; number 33 is The Bedding Specialists, who are having a sale. Above are the offices of Stead & Jobbings, solicitors, and Henry Stead & Partners, Business Transfer Agents. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net