Leeds felt like a city on the up throughout 1997. City folk had with money to spend with city centre shops enjoying a renaissance and the new concept of 'personal shopping' at Harvey Nichols proving an intriguing opportunity. Sandwiches went upmarket as Pret a Manger opened a city centre store while fitness fans received a boost with the launch of the new Esporta Health and Fitness Club in Cookridge. Enjoy these photos, a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service, charting a year in the life of your city. READ MORE: 16 photos to take you back to Leeds in 1996 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![The swimming pool at the new Esporta Health and Fitness Club at Cookridge Hall in September 1997.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTAx.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Leeds in 1997
The swimming pool at the new Esporta Health and Fitness Club at Cookridge Hall in September 1997. Photo: Richard Hainsworth
![Work nears completion in the hospital entrance hall at Leeds General Infirmary's new £90 million wing.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTAy.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Leeds in 1997
Work nears completion in the hospital entrance hall at Leeds General Infirmary's new £90 million wing. Photo: Justin Lloyd
![Paul Baptiste of the Personal Shopping section at Harvey Nichols in November 1997.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTAz.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Leeds in 1997
Paul Baptiste of the Personal Shopping section at Harvey Nichols in November 1997.
![The new Pret a Manger opened on Bond Street in November 1997. Pictured is Yorkshire cricketer Darren Gough trying out sandwiches.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTA0.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Leeds in 1997
The new Pret a Manger opened on Bond Street in November 1997. Pictured is Yorkshire cricketer Darren Gough trying out sandwiches.
![An aerial view of the 450 acre Thorp Arch Trading estate off Walton Road in April 1997. In 1942 a Royal Ordinance Factory opened on it. It took 18 months to build and cost £5.9 million.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTA1.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Leeds in 1997
An aerial view of the 450 acre Thorp Arch Trading estate off Walton Road in April 1997. In 1942 a Royal Ordinance Factory opened on it. It took 18 months to build and cost £5.9 million. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![Leeds City Libraries' children's event held in Victoria Gardens outside the Central Library in July 1997.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTI1MzQ2OTA2.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Leeds in 1997
Leeds City Libraries' children's event held in Victoria Gardens outside the Central Library in July 1997. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net