Stories from the City

Aldyth Hardaker talks about her time in Leeds

By Ellie Bagshaw

Leeds is a city that is in the hearts of many people. Whether it is for its arts, culture or even just the rooftop bar at Belgrave Music Hall.  There is something for everyone in the city.

Aldyth Hardaker is eighty-three years old and has lived in Leeds for fifty-three years.  

“I moved to Leeds in 1967 when I was thirty and had 4 children. I love the many, well-maintained parks and gardens along with the multitude of restaurants and bars which reflect the multicultural community of Leeds” said Aldyth.

Aldyth has been a resident of Leeds for over five decades and has been a first-hand witness to changes in the city. When she initially arrived into Leeds, she described it as dull and in need of great economic change.

“Leeds has changed hugely since I came to live here. The buildings were black, it had an old fashioned, insular and unsophisticated atmosphere and people appeared to be poor and in poor health.” she described.

There has been a lot of financial investment into the city since 1967. Victoria Square and Trinity are key shopping attractions in the city which were developed in the early 2000s.

 “The historic buildings in the city have now been cleaned and are restored. We now have the Playhouse theatre, Opera North, International concerts at the Town Hall, the Arena and many more venues and opportunities for entertainment…Not to mention the new shopping areas. There are also a huge number of community groups and projects throughout the City,” said Aldyth.

Although there are many positive aspects of Leeds and a lot has changed for the better, in the eyes of many there are still a lot of things that need to change.

“I think the City would benefit from more accommodation in the centre and nearby to cut commuting,” said Aldyth.