Lands Lane was pedestrianised in 1972 allowing shoppers an opportunity to hunt for bargains away from exhaust fumes and vehicle noise. The precinct and fountain were opened on April 12, 1972, by the Environment Secretary Peter Walker MP. The dawn of the decade had earlier welcomed the opening of the Trinity shopping centre in December 1970. The thoroughfare was known for the Schofield’s department store Theatre Royal, Scala Cinema. Another firm Lands Lane favourite among shoppers was Bettys cafe which enjoyed a 40 year stint in the city centre before closing at the end of March 1974. Enjoy these photos, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, which are sure to evoke memories for a generation of people who visited Lands Lane during the 1970s. READ MORE: 14 photo gems chart rise and fall of Bettys cafe in Leeds city centre LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Schofields department store at the top of Lands Lane in January 1971. | YPN Photo: YPN
3. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Do you remember these shops? Pictured in September 1971. | YPN Photo: YPN
5. Lands Lane in the 1970s
June 1972 and the Lands Lane water fountain was making a splash with shoppers. | YPN Photo: YPN
6. Lands Lane in the 1970s
Noel Fashions on Lands Lane and Commercial Street corner. Lotus shoes in background. Pictured in January 1971. | YPN Photo: YPN