Introduction

Pub signs are an aspect I believe to be overlooked and ignored in modern British cities. With our posh new offices and soaring tower blocks lining nearly every street in city centres, ,who notices the informal and charming character of pub signs?

The entire concept of the pub sign arrived in Britain around the time of the Roman invasion. In ancient Rome bunches of vine leaves were hung outside Wine Bars as trading signs.

By the end of the 12th century it was common for pubs to have names. This was immediately followed by pub signs as the vast majority of people were illiterate.

Many of our pub signs today still hold a unique record of history representing a variety of past events: from battles to sporting heroes to royalty. `More recent pub signs reflect significant events such as social and industrial change. However, they do not possess the same preserved stillness many of the older pub signs provide.

Captured by photography, i have created a visual reportage of the variety of pub signs in the centre of Leeds, one of Britain's leading cities today.