Empire Arcade will be remembered by bargain-hunters who shopped in the city centre during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s ajd 1990s. It opened in 1962 following the demolition of the Empire Theatre which, over the years, had by visited by stars including Charlie Chaplin , Gracie Fields and Cliif Richard. It was redeveloped in the 1990s and became the Harvey Nichols store helped cement Leeds’s reputation as the ‘Knightsbridge of the North’. The images are from the YEP archive, Thoresby Society, and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Memories of C&A's Leeds city centre store LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Empire Arcade memories
The east side of Briggate showing the entrance to the Empire Arcade in December 1990. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Empire Arcade memories
A tinted postcard view of Briggate looking in the direction of the Headrow or Upperhead Row and Lowerhead Row as it was known then. At the right side is the frontage of the Empire Palace Theatre which opened in Briggate on August 29, 1898 as a music hall. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Empire Arcade memories
Empire Palace Theatre was considered one of the country's finest stoll moss (music hall) theatres. Seating 1750 people on three tiers it was visited by stars including Charlie Chaplin and Gracie Fields while Cliif Richards 1959 pop concert saw the stage door besieged by hysteric fans. | Thoresby Society Photo: Thoresby Society
4. Empire Arcade melmories
An undated postcard showing the Empire Palace Theatre on Briggate with a horse and carriage seen in the foreground. It closed on February 25, 1961 and was replaced by the Empire Arcade; | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Empire Arcade memories
Cross Arcade between Queen Victoria Street and King Edward Street showing the rear entrance to the Empire Arcade in June 1984.. The main entrance to the Empire Arcade was on Briggate. King Edward Street is just glimpsed at the left edge. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Empire Arcade memories
Briggate showing the Empire Palace Theatre in the centre from 1960. Also in the picture are Mark Rowlands furnishers, Willerby's Tailors, Readicut Wool Shop and Phillip's Shoes. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net