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
7. Save Leeds Market
The message was clear - save-the-market campaigner Michael Harwin with the latest total of shoppers against the redevelopment plans in April 1986. | YPN Photo: YPN
8. Save Leeds Market
Thumbs down from Edward Cornell, centre, of the Leeds Market Traders' Committee and other campaign organisers Michael Harwin (left) and John Beard. | YPN Photo: YPN
9. Save Leeds Market
October 1986 and traders delivered a petition signed by 250,000 people to council chiefs opposing the plans - and they carried it in a coffin. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
10. Save Leeds Market
An artist's impression in December 1987 shows the outside of the proposed redevelopment scheme. | YPN Photo: YPN
11. Save Leeds Marlet
An artist's impression shows the inside of the proposed redevelopment scheme. By December 1987 your YEP reported how major high street chains had expressed an interest in taking shop units. | YPN Photo: YPN
12. Save Leeds Market
Your YEP reported in March 1986 how posters and leaflets were to be banned from the market under proposed new by-laws. Angry traders claimed the move was aimed at hindering their campaign against the redevelopment plans. | YPN Photo: YPN