Leeds city centre memories: Photo gems take you down The Headrow in the 1930s

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 1st Aug 2023, 04:45 BST

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It proved to be a decade of change for the much loved road which forms a spine across Leeds city centre.

The development of The Headrow as a road-widening scheme in the 1930s meant that the north side was constructed in the uniform style while the south side boasted a mixture of buildings from the 1800s to the present. Developments during the decade included the construction of Permanent House, the headquarters of the Leeds Permanent Building Society, Lewis's department store and the Odeon Cinema, which opened as the Paramount Theatre. These wonderful photos, published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, chart 10 years in the life of the thoroughfare. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

The completion of the re-development and widening of The Headrow looking east. The white Portland stone building on the left is Permanent House, the headquarters of Leeds Permanent Building Society. It was opened on May 15, 1930 by Sir Reginald Blomfield and was the first building to be completed in the new scheme for The Headrow.

1. The Headrow in the 1930s

The completion of the re-development and widening of The Headrow looking east. The white Portland stone building on the left is Permanent House, the headquarters of Leeds Permanent Building Society. It was opened on May 15, 1930 by Sir Reginald Blomfield and was the first building to be completed in the new scheme for The Headrow. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The new Leeds Optical Centre at 55 The Headrow which is in Thorntons buildings on the corner opposite the Horse & Trumpet public house and separated by an alleyway to the City Palace of Varieties. Going to the right we see Owen & Robinson pawnbrokers, Skeltons hosier. The Reeds Empire poster on the pub wall says closed for the summer vacation. Pictured in July 1935.

2. The Headrow in the 1930s

The new Leeds Optical Centre at 55 The Headrow which is in Thorntons buildings on the corner opposite the Horse & Trumpet public house and separated by an alleyway to the City Palace of Varieties. Going to the right we see Owen & Robinson pawnbrokers, Skeltons hosier. The Reeds Empire poster on the pub wall says closed for the summer vacation. Pictured in July 1935. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Lewis's department store during construction in July 1932.

3. The Headrow in the 1930s

Lewis's department store during construction in July 1932. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The head office of Leeds Permanent Building Society which opened on May 15, 1930. Arched entrance was to Cross Fountain Street. The Society was founded in 1846. By the time of its 10th birthday, the Society had 3,500 members and was proudly proclaiming itself to be the largest building society in the world. Pictured in April 1931.

4. The Headrow in the 1930s

The head office of Leeds Permanent Building Society which opened on May 15, 1930. Arched entrance was to Cross Fountain Street. The Society was founded in 1846. By the time of its 10th birthday, the Society had 3,500 members and was proudly proclaiming itself to be the largest building society in the world. Pictured in April 1931. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The Paramount Cinema at the junction with New Briggate. Designed by Frank T. Verity in keeping with Sir Reginald Blomfield's uniform scheme for the north side of the Headrow following road widening, it was opened on February 22, 1932. On show here is 20,000 Years in Sing Sing starring Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis, as well as Her First Affaire with Ida Lupino and Harry Tate. The cinema's name changed to The Odeon on April 15, 1940 and it closed down in October 2001. A new Primark store opened in the building in 2005.

5. The Headrow in the 1930s

The Paramount Cinema at the junction with New Briggate. Designed by Frank T. Verity in keeping with Sir Reginald Blomfield's uniform scheme for the north side of the Headrow following road widening, it was opened on February 22, 1932. On show here is 20,000 Years in Sing Sing starring Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis, as well as Her First Affaire with Ida Lupino and Harry Tate. The cinema's name changed to The Odeon on April 15, 1940 and it closed down in October 2001. A new Primark store opened in the building in 2005. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Block of buildings ran from Albion Street to Cookridge Street. Built to design of Sir Reginald Blomfield and G.W Atkinson by the Leeds Corporation cost £120,000. Nine shops at ground level, four floors of offices above, large number leased to Inland Revenue. Leeds Town Hall can be seen to left. Hoardings round building carry posters. Some for products 'Oxo', Bovril, Andrews Liver salts, most for local events. A man is looking into site on right. Traffic lights at road junction. Pictured in July 1931.

6. The Headrow in the 1930s

Block of buildings ran from Albion Street to Cookridge Street. Built to design of Sir Reginald Blomfield and G.W Atkinson by the Leeds Corporation cost £120,000. Nine shops at ground level, four floors of offices above, large number leased to Inland Revenue. Leeds Town Hall can be seen to left. Hoardings round building carry posters. Some for products 'Oxo', Bovril, Andrews Liver salts, most for local events. A man is looking into site on right. Traffic lights at road junction. Pictured in July 1931. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net