Photograph Collections:
Then and Now
Back in the late 1980s and 1990s when there was nothing to do on a Sunday as all the shops were shut (yes, shut! Unbelievable, but true!), I got really bored and decided to go out and take photographs around town.
It was my little attempt at preserving a bit of our local history as most of which I photographed was in the process of being demolished. A lot of the photographs have been very damaged by water so extremely poor quality. Also my photography skills back then left a lot to be desired! But the photos still give you a glimpse of what was there before.
It’s been interesting to go back many years later to take a photo of how locations look today.
The Co-Op dairy is just to the right of the photograph. Taken again in 2012. The Co-Op dairy long gone and replaced with housing.
The old building was largely demolished. Part of it was saved at the Meeting House Lane end. Photographed again in 2012.
Corner of North Road and Bread Street taken in 1990 and then again in 2011:
North Road at the corner of Regent Street in 1990 and later in 2012. Not much change really but such a shame the advert was painted over on the side wall. Still just visible if you get in the right light.
Corner of North Road with Robert Street in 1990 and 21 years later in 2011:
North Road swimming baths taken in 1990 and in 2011. For some shots of the interior click here.
North Road in 1990 and again in 2012. Most of the buildings have been demolished. The only thing recognisable is the cobbled paving stones to the right of the picture and the buildings further up the road.
North Road at the corner of Regent Street in 1990 and again in 2011. None of the old buildings exist.
Bottom north side of North Road in 1992 and again twenty years later in 2012. Converted from a shop in 1911 to a 350 seater cinema called the Coronation which lasted up until 1939. Later converted back into a shop.
Portland Street as it looked in 1990:
By 1995 demolition had already begun:
How Portland Street looks today (photographed in 2011):
These two photos show Stone Street in 2013, and modernised in 2017.
My first place of work between 1984-87.
