These wonderful photos showcase a decade of shopping memories along a historic gem which forms a spine across Leeds city centre. They focus on life along The Headrow in the 1940s and feature a range of retail gems including Schofields department store along the half mile route which runs between Westgate and Eastgate. Other landmarks featured in this gallery of memories include The Three Legs pub and Odeon Cinema. The photos 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: The changing face of The Headrow in the 1950s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
13. The Headrow
The south side of The Headrow showing number 47 Montague Burton Ltd. tailors, 49 Grants furriers, 51 Horse and trumpet hotel, 55 Lea-Scott Ltd. opticians. A man stands holding a measuring sticks. A poster for the Empire Theatre is visible. Pictured in December 1949. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
14. The Headrow
Looking at Lands Lane and Victoria Arcade from the South West side of The Headrow. On the corner is 'Campbell and Co, Furnishers', then 'H.G.Shipham Ltd. Hosiers'. Schofields Department Store can be seen down Victoria Arcade, which has its metal gates shut | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
15. The Headrow
Numbers 61a to 73 The Headrow on the South West side. Premises include, 61a the West Riding Wallpaper Co., 63 is Davey's Provisions, 65 is Newby's Ltd. Fish and Poultry, 67 is Benefit Footwear Ltd and over Lands Lane, number 73, Campell and Co, furnishers. Pictured in December 1949. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
16. The Headrow
Numbers 57 to 65 on the South West side of The Headrow in December 1949. Premises include, number 57, Thorntons Chambers, number 59, Owen and Robinson, jewellers, number 61, Skeltons Hosiers, number 61a, West Riding Wallpaper Co., number 63, A. Davy and Sons Ltd. provisions, number 65, Newbys Ltd, fish and poultry. A man stands outside Skeltons | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
17. The Headrow
The south side of The Headrow in December 1949. On the far left is the entrance to Bramley's Yard, then number 21/23, Rowlands Bros, furnishers. Number 25 is H. Brown and Sons, grocers, number 27 Fidlers, furnishers, number 29, B.J. Hollingsworth, chiropodist. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
18. The Headrow
The south side of The Headrow in December 1949. Number 25 is H. Brown and Sons, grocers, number 27, Fidler's Furnishers, number 29 B. Hollingsworth, chiropodist, number 31/33 is M. Panter, Haidressers, number 35 is J.R. Dixon and Sons, Tobacconists and number 37, Kays Hosiery. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net