BUSBYS was a magnet for shoppers in the 20th century - and every Christmas crowds turned out to see a festive parade head up to the Manningham Lane store from the city centre. Once Santa arrived, Children queued at his grotto for a gift.]
The popular department store was opened by Ernest Busby in 1930 and by the 1950s the family business had more than 800 staff, with branches in Ilkley and Harrogate. As well as various departments it had a restaurant, café, library, hairdresser, beauty salon, laundry and record counter.
Debenhams took over the store in 1958 and closed it 20 years later. Then, on August 30, 1979, the old Busbys building was destroyed in a huge fire. Nearly 100 firemen attempted to tackle the blaze, but the once grand building was left in a heap of smouldering rubble, leaving only memories of a much-loved store.
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