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Back-to-back life on city's streets caught on camera

Steve Jones
BBC News, Yorkshire
Ricky Adam A boy riding a bike in the street, with two rows of red-brick terraced houses in the background.Ricky Adam
Ricky Adam began photographing Leeds' back-to-back houses in 2006

When he moved to Leeds in 2003, photographer Ricky Adam was immediately struck by the tightly packed, red-brick terraced streets which are still such a feature of the city.

Ricky, then working for a BMX magazine, set about exploring his new surroundings by bike.

As he did so, he discovered more and more rows of back-to-backs on his city loop, with, as he puts it, "people living in a small space on top of each other".

"They were crying out to be photographed - both the people and the streets," he said.

Ricky Adam Two cars connected by jump leads. A woman wearing a hijab is looking into the window of one of the cars.Ricky Adam
Back-to-back houses remain a feature of many Leeds neighbourhoods even now

From 2006 to 2024, Ricky photographed his journeys through the city's red-brick terraced streets, from Hyde Park to Harehills, taking "thousands of photos".

He described the areas he caught on camera as "a real melting pot of cultures".

"For me, that was really interesting. It just made me want to go out and explore different parts of the city," he explained.

Ricky Adam A Brazil flag being held up by string between two red-brick walls.Ricky Adam
Ricky says he has taken "thousands" of photos of Leeds' red-brick terraces

A cost-saving measure for growing populations, back-to-back houses became popular with architects throughout the 19th Century.

However, they were finally outlawed in 1909 due to their association with poor living conditions.

In Leeds, though, they continued to be built until 1937 as some projects had already obtained planning permission prior to the ban.

Today, those that remain are synonymous with certain areas of the city.

"Photographically, they were amazing," says Ricky, who lives in a back-to-back himself.

Ricky Adam A cat in the middle of an empty street. Its shadow is also visible in the photo.Ricky Adam
Ricky's photos from around Leeds have been compiled into a book and are now on show in the city

Ricky's photos have now been compiled into a book, fittingly titled Back-To-Back.

It features snapshots of life in Chapeltown, Harehills, Beeston, Hyde Park, Armley, Burley, East End Park, Holbeck, Woodhouse and Headingley.

A selection of the photos are being exhibited at Village in the city's Thornton's Arcade until 27 April.

"I just hope the book shows the places in a positive light," he says.

"These areas have got a reputation as being a bit dodgy, but there's positivity and humanity there.

"It was a good, positive experience."

Hidden: The history of Leeds' back-to-back streets

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