Thought-provoking photos take you back to Leeds in the 1990s

By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 1st Feb 2026, 04:45 GMT

This thought-provoking collection of photos takes you around Leeds in the 1990s – although the specific year of each image is unknown.

They predominantly focus on the city’s pub culture during the decade as well as city centre landmarks and memories from around the suburbs with Chapeltown, Harehills, Sheepscar, Lincoln Green, Mabgate and Richmond Hill all in focus. Can you add a specific date to any of these wonderful photos? 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: 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

The Bridge Inn on the corner of Bridge End, to the right of the pub, and Call Lane, left. The photo was taken on Swinegate looking east.

1. Leeds city centre

The Bridge Inn on the corner of Bridge End, to the right of the pub, and Call Lane, left. The photo was taken on Swinegate looking east. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Buildings on the west side of Briggate near the junction with Boar Lane, far right. John Dyson & Sons is central with Sofa Workshop to the right.

2. Leeds city centre

Buildings on the west side of Briggate near the junction with Boar Lane, far right. John Dyson & Sons is central with Sofa Workshop to the right. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Looking south west along Ashley Road. The ornate roof of the Thackray Museum of Medicine is in the distance.

3. Harehills

Looking south west along Ashley Road. The ornate roof of the Thackray Museum of Medicine is in the distance. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Crispin House, built in 1911 as Heaton's factory, at the junction with New York Street and North Street, left. The ground floor windows are boarded up.

4. Leeds city centre

Crispin House, built in 1911 as Heaton's factory, at the junction with New York Street and North Street, left. The ground floor windows are boarded up. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Crispin House, built in 1911 as Heaton's factory. North Street is in the foreground, New York Street is to the right of Crispin House and Trafalgar Street to the left. The ground floor windows are boarded up.

5. Leeds city centre

Crispin House, built in 1911 as Heaton's factory. North Street is in the foreground, New York Street is to the right of Crispin House and Trafalgar Street to the left. The ground floor windows are boarded up. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Thackray Medical Museum on Beckett Street. This opened in 1997 and the building was formerly part of the Leeds Union Workhouse.

6. Burmantofts

Thackray Medical Museum on Beckett Street. This opened in 1997 and the building was formerly part of the Leeds Union Workhouse. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Leeds city centre 1990s Harehills Chapeltown

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