Change Alley and the passageway off Albion Place.

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Fri 17 May, 2013 4:02 am

The complete closure of one end of Change Alley, which threaded behind the old regional stock exchange like a humbler version of the City of London's Exchange Alley, followed a spate of such problems. Its stone-carved gateway was finally bricked in after a rubbish fire which melted a drainpipe and threatened the ancient Leeds Library, founded by 18th century luminaries including Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen.Taken from http://tinyurl.com/aty5bfo in 2004 There will have been some mysterious deeds done in Change Alley over the years EDIT - Looking through 19th century newspapers it seems to have been full of money lenders & pawnbrokers so I suppose that's how it got its name Just one of 210 advertisements

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 17 May, 2013 10:04 pm

Cardiarms wrote: The 'Stock Exchange'" lamps refer to a previous name for a bar that was in the building. I'm not sure if it was the existing downstairs bar or where Austin Reed is (or was). Thanks for that Cardiarms.I wonder if the two old 'gas lamp-like' features are original (but clearly with modern electric lights now). I've just come across an old SL thread about gas lamps and the lamp in Change Alley is mentioned, but that thread does not seem to have a photo of the current lamp. This is a link to the thread with the mention of Change Alley:- http://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messag ... essage=100

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Fri 17 May, 2013 10:33 pm

Jogon wrote: Leeds Stock Exchange 57-61 Albion St 1927Now West Riding House.Tasa Folks often balk at the idea of such alleyways being gated/fenced off. But whereas in the 60's 70's etc a 'gentleman of the road' tramp (often ex-forces, former family men) may settle down for the night, now (sadly) it is a very different story.I worked by a place which had always enjoyed public access. This was used as a toilet by men & women for 'everything'...There were also rough sleepers (sometimes in trade waste bins) as well as used needles left so as to deliberately 'catch' folks.In the end gated access is the only way I'm afraid and if that means we SL sleuths can no longer gain access to old Leeds, sadly it is for the greater good. West Riding House is now called Pinnacle, with some fancy logo on the roof lettering to replace the "i" in Pinnacle (I can't see it properly).I understand the reason for removing access to various alleyways such as Change Alley because of antisocial behaviour, but am still curious as to whether they were previously rights of way and if so, how the consultation for the removal of the right of way was carried out (not that I would necessarily oppose it!).

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Fri 17 May, 2013 10:52 pm

TasaI think that centuries old rules have had to be modified, now that mass cheap quick transport allows planet earth to [bypass all other EEC members to]take advantage of the [naive] NHS 'free at point of use' that Grandparents, Parents and we pay for. Able to pay go-betweens and people trafficers equiv of £5k UK Sterling to get here.Crazy.When my 4 year old daughter pickup up a used (drugs) needle on Albion Place, I gave up my 'rights to roam'.Public access 24 hour = excrement and worse, one has to think of cleaners, night staff coming/ going out of hours.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 20 May, 2013 9:45 am

Leodian wrote: This is a close-up of a query original old (? gas) lamp that has a modern lamp. This is in the short alley off Albion Place. The lamp has Stock Exchange on it and will relate to an old Leeds Stock Exchange that stood on that site. The Stock Exchange was built in 1846/7 and used to 1866 and the site was demolished in 1905 and a YMCA was built there (according to information I've seen). There is a similar lamp with the same wording in Change Alley. I think the lamp is modern. It looks to be formed from thin sheet metal and possibly plastic.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 20 May, 2013 2:30 pm

Si wrote: Leodian wrote: This is a close-up of a query original old (? gas) lamp that has a modern lamp. This is in the short alley off Albion Place. The lamp has Stock Exchange on it and will relate to an old Leeds Stock Exchange that stood on that site. The Stock Exchange was built in 1846/7 and used to 1866 and the site was demolished in 1905 and a YMCA was built there (according to information I've seen). There is a similar lamp with the same wording in Change Alley. I think the lamp is modern. It looks to be formed from thin sheet metal and possibly plastic. Cheers Si. I suspect you may be right, as if that and the other one nearby are original they would likely have been stolen at some stage either for their metal or to be sold as an antique.

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Mon 20 May, 2013 4:07 pm

Cardiarms wrote: The 'Stock Exchange'" lamps refer to a previous name for a bar that was in the building. I'm not sure if it was the existing downstairs bar or where Austin Reed is (or was). I did wonder whether that was the case. There are a few bars with entrances down alleyways in Leeds like that.