Construction work was well underway on Lewis’s department store drawing crowds of onlookers. And further down The Headrow work was under way on the new Paramount cinema. This was 1931 and these wonderful photos capture the changes and challenges. On the left of the main image are left are the 17th century almshouses built by John Harrison, in 1653, a wealthy Leeds merchant and benefactor. Harrison's almshouses, on a site adjacent to St. John's Church in Mark Lane, were designed to provide homes for 40 poor women. This gallery provides a fascinating insight into life around the city centre during the year. The images are 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: Leeds in the 1980s - Memories of Lewis's department 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. Leeds city centre
A crowd of onlookers stand at the junction of Wade Lane with Mark Lane, watching the progress being made on the new Lewis's store on The Headrow in November 1931. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds city centre
Lloyds Arms is to the left of this photo from November 1931. Railway bridge runs across the centre of the image with the line running trains to and from Leeds City Station. Tramlines run along Duke Street. Church in distance to right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Leeds city centre
Duke Street in November 1931. Fenced off land to left, railway bridge runs along length of the centre of the picture. Horse and cart on right road. Empty area of land to right where a row of buildings were previously demolished. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Leeds city centre
Park Cross Street in November 1931. In focus is a view of a three-storey building with basement. Garage with parked car on right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Leeds city centre
Shop units and offices, part of new Headrow unified building project. designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and G.W.Atkinson for Leeds Corporation, cost £120,000. Nine ground level shop units, four floors of office space. Pictured in November 1931. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Leeds city centre
Looking at new block of building. Permanent House at junction with Cookridge Street, Leeds Town Hall in background. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net