The White Rose Shopping Centre welcomed shoppers for the first time on March 25, 1997. Work has started close on two years earlier - on July 10, 1995 - and took 87 weeks to complete at a cost of £64 million. Around 1.3 million bricks were used during construction. If placed end to end, these would cover 2,020 miles - the same distance from Morley to Tenerife. These photos, plucked the YEP archive, take you inside the Centre ahead of opening as well as showcasing the crowds on the big day and celebrities who visited during its first year. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP WHATSAPP: Sign up to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s new WhatsApp channel for breaking news in Leeds
19. White Rose Centre
Ulrika Jonsson who opened the Pocketphone Shop in October 1997. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
20. White Rose Centre
Coronation Street Star John Savident visited in October 1997 to help officially launch the new 6pm to 9pm opening hours. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
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Gladiator Hunter was on hand to launch the switch to 10pm festive late opening in November 1997. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox
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Brookside actor Steven Pinder, who played Max Farnham, joined Santa Claus in his grotto to switch on the Christmas lights in November 1997. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike
23. White Rose Centre
The Christmas decorations pictured in November1997 ahead of the festive season. | Keith Allison Photo: Keith Allison
24. White Rose Centre
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink shoots numbered footballs at Ellie the Elephant in goal to choose the numbers for the Leeds United Double Strike Lottery in August 1997. | Mark Bickerdike Photo: Mark Bickerdike