SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Can anyone shed any light on this carved lintel?It appears to have been reused for some reason, as the building looks later than the date depicted on it (1730.) The initials are BJM.It's between the first and second floor windows down the side of what was Captain Value, on Mercury Row in Otley. I noticed it the other day, but don't know it's history.    

This is the building it's on. It's between the middle windows down the side. I may be wrong, but the building doesn't look as old as 1730.(Apologies for cruddy camera-picture quality.) I wonder if Captain Value's new name has anything to do with it, or if it's a coincidence? (BJM? - JBM Bargains?)        

It seems that the initials are just a coincidence. JBM Bargains have another (older) branch in Batley.According to nineteenth century maps, there was an older building on the site with a different footprint.    

I hope Tasa doesn't mind, but I've posted her 1890s Otley map here, from the Market Place thread.I've marked the lintel building with a cross.I think it was converted into a cinema some time in the early 20th century. The group of structures further back on Mercury Row were replaced by (IMO) a hideous building, which I assume, was the auditorium?

This 1950s shot of Kirkgate from Leodis, shows the building in question. There appears to be a cinema type awning over the pavement (above the car facing the camera.) Does anyone remember this cinema? Blakey?

Hi Si,I remember the cinema, I used to go there regularly on a Sunday evening in the late 1950's/early 1960's. I don't remember it's proper name but it was nicknamed 'The Ranch House' (I have no idea why). The other cinema was the 'Beech Hill' on Westgate/Beech Hill.Alot of the cycling clubs from Leeds used to end up in Otley after a club run or racing and we all frequented 'Tommy's Cafe' and 'Hartley's Cafe', which were both on Boroughgate (now the Cucina Italian take away, and the Great Wall Chinese take away). We used to have our evening meal than go to one of the cinemas, and then back to the cafe again. Alot of the Leeds cyclists dated/married Otley girls who they met at Tommy's Cafe. The White Swan was also an option for the over 18's as it was a short distance from Tommy's. There used to be a barrier down the side of what is now the Maypole Car Park at Manchester Square and all the bikes were left stacked against the barrier or against the buildings across the street.Ian

Si wrote: I hope Tasa doesn't mind, but I've posted her 1890s Otley map here, from the Market Place thread.I've marked the lintel building with a cross.I think it was converted into a cinema some time in the early 20th century. The group of structures further back on Mercury Row were replaced by (IMO) a hideous building, which I assume, was the auditorium? No problem with posting the maps anywhere they're relevant and might help find an answer - I don't consider them as "mine"!

iansmithofotley wrote: Alot of the cycling clubs from Leeds used to end up in Otley after a club run or racing and we all frequented 'Tommy's Cafe' and 'Hartley's Cafe', which were both on Boroughgate (now the Cucina Italian take away, and the Great Wall Chinese take away). We used to have our evening meal than go to one of the cinemas, and then back to the cafe again. Tommy's Cafe, c.1981.This pic from Leodis has a comment added by a certain Ian Smith.

um... why am I not getting any images?

I don't know why, but you have to click on the little box with the red X in it. Some sort of problem with the site, I think. It's been like that for a few days.