Leeds in the 1950s: Photos showcase a decade in the life of Harehills

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 14th Sep 2023, 04:45 BST

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These evocative photos celebrate a decade in the life of Harehills and its residents in the 1950s.

Life on well travelled streets – from Roundhay Road to Harehills Lane – in the heart of the community are brought into focus thanks to this mini gallery of photo gems. Shops, cinemas and pubs are featured during a decade of social and economic change. The images are a mix from the Tramway Museum Society and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 10 photos take you back to Harehills in the 1960s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

A bus on Roundhay Road near the Karnac Road junction in August 1959. The bus is the number 6, Roundhay Road, Briggate, Hunslet Road line heading for Briggate. An advertisement on the side of the bus reads, Double £75,000 + Surplus = Vernons, Fairer for All! On the far left is the Pearson & Benton newsagents with an awning stretched over the pavement. On the far right at number 250 is The Picture House. This 900 seat cinema opened on Monday, December 16, 1912, showing 'The Mine Owner', and closed Saturday, October 5, 1963 showing 'Last days of Pompeii'. On Friday, October 11, 1963 it went into use as a bingo hall and was eventually demolished in 1968. At the time of this photograph the cinema was showing Burt Lancaster in The Crimson Pirate (1952).

1. Harehills in the 1950s

A bus on Roundhay Road near the Karnac Road junction in August 1959. The bus is the number 6, Roundhay Road, Briggate, Hunslet Road line heading for Briggate. An advertisement on the side of the bus reads, Double £75,000 + Surplus = Vernons, Fairer for All! On the far left is the Pearson & Benton newsagents with an awning stretched over the pavement. On the far right at number 250 is The Picture House. This 900 seat cinema opened on Monday, December 16, 1912, showing 'The Mine Owner', and closed Saturday, October 5, 1963 showing 'Last days of Pompeii'. On Friday, October 11, 1963 it went into use as a bingo hall and was eventually demolished in 1968. At the time of this photograph the cinema was showing Burt Lancaster in The Crimson Pirate (1952). Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The east side of Harehills Road in September 1950. Number 133 labelled between Ashton Grove and Ashton Place. Stephenson's butchers and Craven's tobacconists. Advertisements for Lyon's ice-cream and Players Please tobacco visible.

2. Harehills in the 1950s

The east side of Harehills Road in September 1950. Number 133 labelled between Ashton Grove and Ashton Place. Stephenson's butchers and Craven's tobacconists. Advertisements for Lyon's ice-cream and Players Please tobacco visible. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The waste ground on the corner of Compton Road and Florence Street in May 1953. There are several sheds and what looks to be a custom made van in the centre. To the right are two brick buildings, one with an advertising hoarding. The other building has a pile of timber leaning against it. In the distance are three rows of terraced brick houses and to the right of these is the Western cinema.

3. Harehills in the 1950s

The waste ground on the corner of Compton Road and Florence Street in May 1953. There are several sheds and what looks to be a custom made van in the centre. To the right are two brick buildings, one with an advertising hoarding. The other building has a pile of timber leaning against it. In the distance are three rows of terraced brick houses and to the right of these is the Western cinema. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A view shows ex-Southampton tram no. 297 entering Easterly Road from Roundhay Road, while tram no. 269, a Middleton Bogie, is on the right, picking up passengers. The Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Co-operative Insurance Society are in the background on Roundhay Road. Pictured in July 1950.

4. Harehills in the 1950s

A view shows ex-Southampton tram no. 297 entering Easterly Road from Roundhay Road, while tram no. 269, a Middleton Bogie, is on the right, picking up passengers. The Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Co-operative Insurance Society are in the background on Roundhay Road. Pictured in July 1950. Photo: Tramway Museum Society

Harehills Lane in August 1953. This view shows 'Newtons Grocers' and 'W. Hayes fish, poultry, fruit and flowers'.

5. Harehills in the 1950s

Harehills Lane in August 1953. This view shows 'Newtons Grocers' and 'W. Hayes fish, poultry, fruit and flowers'. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Harehills Road in September 1950.View of numbers 131 to 143 looking north east along the east side. At the far left is Ashton Grove then shop numbers 131, S. Hartshorne, Confectioner and number 133, A. Lyon, Milliner. Next is Ashton Place followed by a parade of shops numbered as 135 to 143 Harehills Road. Number 135 is J.C. Richmond, Chemist, 137 is Turner and Fishburn, Drapers. Number 139 is empty and number 141 is Leicester Shoe Repairs. Finally at number 143 there is F. and C. Eamonson, Butchers. A bus stop is visible.

6. Harehills in the 1950s

Harehills Road in September 1950.View of numbers 131 to 143 looking north east along the east side. At the far left is Ashton Grove then shop numbers 131, S. Hartshorne, Confectioner and number 133, A. Lyon, Milliner. Next is Ashton Place followed by a parade of shops numbered as 135 to 143 Harehills Road. Number 135 is J.C. Richmond, Chemist, 137 is Turner and Fishburn, Drapers. Number 139 is empty and number 141 is Leicester Shoe Repairs. Finally at number 143 there is F. and C. Eamonson, Butchers. A bus stop is visible. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net