West Yorkshire Archive Service

West Yorkshire Archive Service The West Yorkshire Archive Service collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region.

We have five district offices - Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. We collect and preserve the heritage of our region dating from the twelfth century to the present day – over 800 years of local history! We offer a wide range of services including search room access, research service, copying service and conservation care and advice. We also run a wide range of events and activities throughout the year like school holiday workshops and talks.

We hope you enjoy the latest batch of photos, showcasing some beautiful displays from Leeds department stores. If you ...
30/05/2026

We hope you enjoy the latest batch of photos, showcasing some beautiful displays from Leeds department stores.

If you have missed any of our photos don’t worry! You can scroll back through the year so far and there are still plenty more to come!
1. Millinery department of Schofields, c.1930s. (WYL1262/60)
2. Window display of Fosters Department Store on Briggate, mid-20th century. (WYL2028)
3. Kitchen showroom of the new furnishing department at Schofields, c.1960s. (WYL1262/62)

Today's 1800s exhibition at our Leeds office was a massive success! 🥳Thank you to everyone who joined us.We hope you can...
29/05/2026

Today's 1800s exhibition at our Leeds office was a massive success! 🥳

Thank you to everyone who joined us.

We hope you can all come along for our Change and Challenge: Leeds in the 1900s exhibition on Friday 24th July.

fans Leeds City Council Leeds BID Leeds Civic Trust Leeds Libraries Leeds Markets Leeds Museums and Galleries

we have recently returned an early 20th Century Papier Mache sculpture of Peter Rabbit to his home at the Wakefield Li...
28/05/2026

we have recently returned an early 20th Century Papier Mache sculpture of Peter Rabbit to his home at the Wakefield Libraries following his short stay in Conservation for a spot of emergency treatment. Poor Peter had suffered a knock to his exhibition case which resulted in the complete detachment of his left ear. Jodie, originally trained as an Objects Conservator, used a combination of paper conservation treatments to re-adhere the detached ear and ceramics conservation knowledge to clean, consolidate the flaking paint and infill areas of paint loss. These infills were then retouched to match the infills to the original paint colour. He has now been returned in one piece and is back on display at !

Wakefield Libraries

Don’t forget to join us in Leeds for our FREE pop-up exhibition tomorrow! 🎉You can explore life in Leeds in the 1800s th...
28/05/2026

Don’t forget to join us in Leeds for our FREE pop-up exhibition tomorrow! 🎉You can explore life in Leeds in the 1800s through a selection of stunning archival documents.

You can also see the original Charles I Leeds Charter. 👑

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm. No booking required, just drop and delve into the remarkable history of the city.

You will find us at West Yorkshire Archive Service Leeds, Nepshaw Lane South, Morley, LS27 7JQ.

Leeds City Council Leeds BID Leeds Libraries Leeds Museums and Galleries Leeds Markets BBC Leeds Yorkshire Post Leeds Civic Trust

Leeds has been known for its bustling markets for centuries. The Monday market is even mentioned in the Charter of 1626 ...
26/05/2026

Leeds has been known for its bustling markets for centuries. The Monday market is even mentioned in the Charter of 1626 as having been held for longer than any one can remember. Today’s features a small selection of photos of the markets to celebrate the vital role they have played in shaping the city.
If you are keen for more market history why not come along to our free exhibition all about Leeds in the 1800s. Just pop into the Leeds office on Friday 29th May.
1. E. Gilbert butcher shop in the Kirkgate Market Hall, 1956. (LC/ENG/P/Graphics)
2. The back of Kirkgate Market. This section was sadly destroyed in 1975 by a fire. c.1965. (WYL1796/box1/35mm/NR/280)
3. A busy day at Kirkgate Market. The vast size of the market can be seen from this high angle. The glass roof that covers the section facing onto Vicar Lane can be seen towards the back of the photo. c.1980s. (LC/ENG/P/Graphics)
4. The Mower family confectioners shop inside Kirkgate Market. The sweets on offer include Devon cream toffee, Yorkshire humbugs, and menthol tablets. Early 20th century. (WYL1839)
5. Vicar Lane entrance to Kirkgate Market, mid-20th century. (WYL1796/box1/r-film/485)
Leeds Markets Leeds BID

Today in we are carrying on the shopping theme. From ironmongers to stationers, Leeds has it all! 1. James William Hic...
23/05/2026

Today in we are carrying on the shopping theme. From ironmongers to stationers, Leeds has it all!
1. James William Hick and others pose outside Hick Bros Ironmongers and Tinners on Bridge End. A sign for Coppersmiths and Lamp Makers can be seen on the front of the building. c.1900. (WYL2403)
2. Saxone shoes on the corner of Boar Lane and Briggate, 1967. (WYL1796/box1/35mmNR/285)
3. W. H. Smith & Son inside the train station. The shop is in a slightly different location today. 1973. (WYL1796/box1/SLR5/486)
4. Benjamin Wainman (right) outside Wainman grocers on Town Street in Armley. The beautifully stacked window display features Health Chocolates and Spratt’s Patent Puppy Biscuits. Late 19th century. (WYL2647)

21/05/2026

we are sewing the text block of a ledger. This one has 29 sections and took about 3 hours to complete. Very mindful!

westyorkshire

We’re kicking off the new theme today! Over the next few weeks we will be featuring photographs all about shops and sh...
19/05/2026

We’re kicking off the new theme today! Over the next few weeks we will be featuring photographs all about shops and shopping in Leeds. From the early bazaars of Briggate to the modern Victoria Quarter, Leeds has been known as a centre of commerce for centuries with people flocking to the city for their necessities and luxuries for generations.
1. Albion Street on a busy shopping day. The entrance to Bond Street Shopping Centre can be seen on the left, 1981. (WYL1796/box 1/pentax/f46/13)
2. The crowded outdoor market. The huge Quarry Hills flats dominate the background, c.1956. (LC/MKTS/WYAS346/4)
3. The queue outside the Corn Exchange stretching down Cloth Hall Street, 1946. (WYL884)
4. Window shopping outside ‘Helens’ on a rainy day, 1966. (WYL1796/box1/R-film/517)
5. Inside Kirkgate Market Hall. Fruit and veg on one side, sweets on the other! 1988. (LC/MKTS/WYAS346/8/1)
Leeds Markets Leeds City Council Leeds BID

Today is the last instalment in the health series of . We will have a new theme starting next week though so keep an ey...
16/05/2026

Today is the last instalment in the health series of . We will have a new theme starting next week though so keep an eye out!
1. Staff at the Burton factory enjoying the on-site sunroom. Burton was known for the excellent treatment of the staff. The huge Hudson Road factory complex included the sunroom, a dentist, doctor, tennis courts and an athletics field. 1934. (WYL1951/118/12/22)
2. Infectious diseases ambulance Renault car, 1922 (LC/HE)
3. Interior of infectious diseases ambulance with space to transport 2 patients, 1922. (LC/HE)
4. View of St James Hospital school building and church, 1939. (WYL1540/35)
5. Inside the brand new maternity unit of St Mary’s Infirmary in Armley, Jul 1944. (LC/HE)

Address

Nepshaw Lane South
Leeds
LS277JQ

Website

http://www.nowthen.org/, http://twitter.com/wyorksarchives

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