How Leeds City Centre has changed

oldleedsman · Post by **oldleedsman** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 5:30 pm

I tend to agree with Kango. There are two aspects that strike me: 1. Things change. Sometimes for the good, sometimes not. Fashion, building styles (1960s monstrosities?), shopping hours (half-day closing anyone?), pedestrianisation, etc. I could go on. 2. The grumpy old man syndrome: change becomes increasing hard to cope with as we age and I think it's just a human thing to look back to one's youth and think things were better/safer/friendlier then and overlook the less ideal aspects eg Kango's list above. For example, it was 40 years ago that Leeds was struck with terrible smogs that caused terrible health problems - see http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2 ... Personally, I think Leeds looks far better than it did in my youth and is a more pleasant place to walk around. That doesn't mean I don't miss Lewis' food hall and Schofield's cafe. But I do appreciate the huge choice of places for snacks, the Art Gallery cafe, the Corn Exchange (which was closed throughout the 60s and 70s), etc.

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 5:45 pm

Rose tinted specs syndrome???

oldleedsman · Post by **oldleedsman** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 5:48 pm

simonm wrote: Rose tinted specs syndrome??? Are the Rose tinted specs on now, or just in our mind's eye for the past? (or both?)

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 6:18 pm

oldleedsman wrote: simonm wrote: Rose tinted specs syndrome??? Are the Rose tinted specs on now, or just in our mind's eye for the past? (or both?) Nah, I just remember a lovely old fashioned pair. Not like the Rose titnted contacts I have now.

oldleedsman · Post by **oldleedsman** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 7:55 pm

simonm wrote: oldleedsman wrote: simonm wrote: Rose tinted specs syndrome??? Are the Rose tinted specs on now, or just in our mind's eye for the past? (or both?) Nah, I just remember a lovely old fashioned pair. Not like the Rose titnted contacts I have now. Very good! You're not myopic about the past then?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 9:05 pm

Parts of the "new" Leeds I can't be doing with - why do so many people think it's a good idea to pay four quid for a coffee and then have to wait 10 minutes for it to be prepared, then go sit outside in December to drink it, for example? I can just about see the attraction on a summers day, but come on!That said, I can also remember as a kid that half of Boar Lane was virtually derelict seemingly forever.It's just a shame the "improvements" have been so slap dash with little thought seemingly given to the overall view.

kango · Post by **kango** » Mon 07 Dec, 2009 10:33 pm

Some good views here, one thing I would throw into the mix is , whilst Builders-Architects etc have always been fiscally motivated, I don't think there has ever been a time when Leeds city center development has had such an aura of greed and money about it, as opposed to actually building something for the wellbeing of It's residents. How the Dwellers of the local Council estates must have been overjoyed at the local authorities bending over backwards to enable the creation of £50-100 grand one room city center apartments for the privileged few, whilst outside Their windows yet another "joy-ridden" car is embedded into a lamppost without a copper in sight. (aint got the resources dont ya know)At least the Victorian and Edwardian movers and shakers had some semblance of social responsibility to the local populace regardless of any other motive.Right rant over Devils advocate as ever DISCUSS!!!!!!

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Tue 08 Dec, 2009 11:18 am

oldleedsman wrote: simonm wrote: oldleedsman wrote: simonm wrote: Rose tinted specs syndrome??? Are the Rose tinted specs on now, or just in our mind's eye for the past? (or both?) Nah, I just remember a lovely old fashioned pair. Not like the Rose titnted contacts I have now. Very good! You're not myopic about the past then? Not at all, in fact I suppose I could be classed as Hyperopic