SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Quote me if I'm wrong, but didn't one of these subways under Merrion Centre have shops?

simon2710 wrote: Quote me if I'm wrong, but didn't one of these subways under Merrion Centre have shops? Don't think so, as such Simon, though at 'basement level' on Wade Lane, David Lato photogaraphy could be found foing towards Fairfax House - anyone remember anything else?

chameleon wrote: simon2710 wrote: Quote me if I'm wrong, but didn't one of these subways under Merrion Centre have shops? Don't think so, as such Simon, though at 'basement level' on Wade Lane, David Lato photogaraphy could be found foing towards Fairfax House - anyone remember anything else? Youre right Steve,plus the Lebanese restaurant as well

simon2710 wrote: Quote me if I'm wrong, but didn't one of these subways under Merrion Centre have shops? Some of the subways in the centre of Bradford had shops in them, I remember the ones near Forster Square had a newsagent and shop repairers.

I've just seen this thread on the Merrion Centre subways, I well remember spending lunch time in the Pig and Whistle whilst doing an HNC at the poly. The subway that is shown in the photos at the top of the page is now used by the council to store all the stage from Millenium square, I've spent many a late night/early morning moving equipment back down there after an event.

Lightman wrote: I've just seen this thread on the Merrion Centre subways, I well remember spending lunch time in the Pig and Whistle whilst doing an HNC at the poly. The subway that is shown in the photos at the top of the page is now used by the council to store all the stage from Millenium square, I've spent many a late night/early morning moving equipment back down there after an event. Any chance we can get some phots down there Lightman?I've pictures of the other mirrion subway here, it will finish my set off nicely http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... 548348135/

The original Merrion subway did have a newsagents and a shoe repair shop. They were removed because of violence towards the shop keepers I seem to remember. The ones you pictured also had toilets in them and a very expensive piece of art forming a roof. The exit by the Pig and Whistle was supposed to be a sculpture area! There are the remnants of the escalators too. This was all part of the attempt to make Leeds a pedestrianized centre. Failed! The toilets were the haunt of some unsavoury people and were closed down. Then when the shops closed there was no reason to walk under the road and it became a drugs den on a night time. There was also a subway under Briggate where McDonalds is now sited.

Loiner1960 wrote: The original Merrion subway did have a newsagents and a shoe repair shop. They were removed because of violence towards the shop keepers I seem to remember. The ones you pictured also had toilets in them and a very expensive piece of art forming a roof. The exit by the Pig and Whistle was supposed to be a sculpture area! There are the remnants of the escalators too. This was all part of the attempt to make Leeds a pedestrianized centre. Failed! The toilets were the haunt of some unsavoury people and were closed down. Then when the shops closed there was no reason to walk under the road and it became a drugs den on a night time. There was also a subway under Briggate where McDonalds is now sited. I'm not certain but I think I've read that the Merrion subway toilets may still be there but not accessible. The short subway just in Briggate near the Boar Lane/Duncan Street junction also had toilets that I recall. When there was some work going on at the site a few months back I mentioned the toilets to a workman and he claimed they were seen during the work.

Have a look at this thread toohttp://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Messages.as ... ight=1This piccy is from there (coutessy PhillD) Caption says door to gents' is on the right.

Yes that's the Gents loo on the right.I remember well shifty characters lined up against the wall on the left looking out for obliging 'nice boys' to go in there in the early 80's.It was notorious for it, no doubt why it got closed.