SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I spotted this today and guess it is an old pub. But can anyone tell me anything about it?

There was a brief discussion (well 2 messages) about this in the 'Town centre pubs of the70/s 80/s'thread in the 'public Houses' section

Leodis has this picture that shows the Mason's Arms was open in 1947 - although the main part of the picture shows the Regent, which is still open of course

Whilst researching Kirkgate Pubs I have established that the Mason's Arms closed c 1962 - it is in Directories for 1961 but not 1963.

By about 1966 the Masons Arms had morphed into the Chicken Inn.

This was originally (I assume) a nice stone carving until (I assume) a tenant desecrated it by painting. The square & compass allude to Masonic regalia. Like the pub name suggests (as does 'The Square & Compass').

The tricks that one's memory plays are just simply amazing. I've known that part of Leeds almost daily since the 1950s, and I can't remember either the name or that the building was a pub. I've always been aware of the Regent too, but only from the outside as its always looked a bit daunting to me !!

I'm sure I remember a sign within that window on the Masons Arms along the lines of "The Yorkshire Curry Restaurant"

BLAKEY wrote:The tricks that one's memory plays are just simply amazing. I've known that part of Leeds almost daily since the 1950s, and I can't remember either the name or that the building was a pub. I've always been aware of the Regent too, but only from the outside as its always looked a bit daunting to me !!

I agree with you Blakey, I knew that area so well in those days and spent many hours in the front room of the Regent yet can't remember the Mason's pub, but then I also can't remember what was there before the Chicken Inn though i seem to recall it was a food outlet.