Leeds, Briggate 1951
Photo ref: L28012
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Photo ref: L28012
Photo of Leeds, Briggate 1951

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The heart of the city for 800 years, Briggate leads directly off the Leeds Bridge. A major redevelopment in 1870 brought many new shops and arcades to the thoroughfare. The last bow-windowed shop here, William Green's, was demolished in 1922, and the last surviving medieval building on Briggate, Wallis's Hosier and Glover's, was taken down and replaced by Timpson's shoe shop in the year of this photograph.

An extract from West Yorkshire Photographic Memories.

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West Yorkshire Photographic Memories

West Yorkshire Photographic Memories

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Memories of Leeds, Briggate 1951

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Leeds, Briggate 1951

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My mother, Doreen Hall (Nee Bilton), related these memories to me: I started nursing at St James’ Hospital, Leeds (Jimmy's) in 1948. I was 17 years old, the only one straight from school. I didn’t need any qualifications – but I had my school certificate. There were about three months of training before going onto the wards – a training school was attached to the hospital with two tutors; one was ...see more
I lived in Leeds from 1961 to 1965 as a student at the branch college of Commerce. We used to hang out in a coffee shop on New Brigade called the Flamingo.There were other coffee shops such as the Riviera on the same street. I have a lot of memories from the Lewis's department store, especially the basement where I had lunch sometimes. Another good place to eat on the new Brigade was Delmor restaurant where the food was really great.
I lived in Leeds from birth in 1958 to the time I left in 1977 to seek my fortune in London. Still here but as poor as when I left Leeds all those years ago. Lewis's for me was the best shopping store in Leeds I used to go there when I played truant from school occasionally and loved going up and down the escalators from basement food hall to toy dept on the 4th floor. I went back in 2010 after all those years ...see more
Does anyone remember Hart's Department Store which used to be next to Matthias Robinsons? I remember going to Leeds from Ilkley on many Saturday afternoons - pre-war - the car was parked behind Lewis's! Shopping done and afternoon tea taken at a reserved window table at Matthias Robinsons - lovely orchestra playing in the background. However, I do remember Hart's next door and wondered if this was the inspiration of ...see more