The message was clear in 1986 - Save Leeds Market. More than 250,000 people signed a petition opposing a redevelopment proposal put forward by Leeds City Council with Dutch developers MAB(UK) and Norwich Union as major investors. The plans involved retaining the 1875 and 1904 Halls, but replacing the rest with a new single market hall, new shops, a new bus station and multi-storey car park. The scheme proved unpopular and was opposed by the Market Traders' Association as well as Leeds Civic Trust. In order to see the plans through, a compulsory purchase order was required by the council and this was refused by the Secretary of State for the Environment. A four year campaign of opposition ended in victory when the plans were formally dropped in 1990. Enjoy these rarely-seen photos, plucked from the YEP archive, which tell the story of the long-running saga. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Save Leeds Market
August 1985 and Frank Smith contemplates the closure of his cafe on George Street. It had served shoppers and market traders for more than 60 years and was one of the oldest in the city. | YPN Photo: YPN
2. Save Leeds Market
Under the proposals the only part of the 1904 market buidling to survive the fire of 1975 - the structure that faces onto Vicar Lane - would not be touched. | YPN Photo: YPN
3. Save Leeds Market
It was the construction of a new market - to link with a shopping centre - that was potentially highly charged for both the developers and Leeds City Council.
4. Save Leeds Market
Ippe Konings, a director of developers MAB, discusses the £90 million scheme with the firm's letting agent Anthony White in June 1986. They were in a shop on The Headrow to answer questions about the proposed development. | YPN Photo: YPN
5. Save Leeds Market
More than 100 market traders marched to Leeds Civic Hall in September 1985 to protest against the redevelopment plans. | YPN Photo: YPN
6. Save Leeds Market
More than 100 market traders marched to Leeds Civic Hall in September 1985 to protest against the redevelopment plans. | YPN Photo: YPN