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Nostalgic 1980’s Preston revealed in pictures (part 9)

Posted on - 11th April, 2015 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - History, Nostalgia, Photos
The Jolly Farmer (Formerly The Farmers Arms), Market Street, Preston, 1980

The Jolly Farmer (Formerly The Farmers Arms), Market Street, Preston, 1980: Anyone remember when this place closed?

I’ve always considered the 80’s to have been a great time for cinema going; and there were still quite a few of those left in the town at that time. Some of the films I recall are Beverly Hills Cop, The Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Karate Kid, Airplane!, Beetlejuice, Back To The Future, The Terminator, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, An Officer and a Gentleman, Flashdance, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Gremlins. I’m sure that you will all be able to think of many more and will have some real favourites bringing back some good memories. I’d love to hear which were the ones you loved the most and what cinemas you saw them in.

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This was a decade that music took a real turn, with some of the hits being less than credible at times. There were, without a doubt, some absolutely awful and cringe-worthy tunes around which were constantly bashing our ears and disturbing our senses; what about Nick Berry’s “Every Loser Wins” …bring me the sick bag. Then there was Roland Rat’s cover of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” …Totally surreal! Anita Dobson sang “Anyone Can Fall In Love” to the tune of Eastenders …I need to forget that one now before it takes my mind over again. I’m not even sure if I should mention Keith Harris and Orville singing (if that’s the word) “Orville’s Song” …Yes Orville, I wish you had flown, preferably to another galaxy! And finally, …wait for it… “Agadoo” by Black Lace …No party will ever be the same again, I fear that I will never get over it!

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Tithebarn Street from Bus Station Car Park, Preston September 1987

Tithebarn Street from Bus Station Car Park, Preston September 1987: This looks a lot tidier than it does nowadays. Not sure that I recall the bushes in the centre though.

Shops on Church Street (north side), Preston October 1987

Shops on Church Street (north side), Preston October 1987: I wonder what happened to Crown Eye Glass? They were a sort of budget specs place if I remember correctly. Frank Rimmer Music shop went to Leyland and was never seen here again.

Shepherd Street Mission, Shepherd Street, Preston 1983

Shepherd Street Mission, Shepherd Street, Preston 1983: This building was erected in 1797 and was the original forerunner to the Harris Library. For many years it was the home of the Shepherd Street Mission Trust, which, to my knowledge still exists today but has no real headquarters in Preston.

Calverts Flatts Mill, Victoria Road, Walton-Le-Dale, Preston, 1988

Calverts Flatts Mill, Victoria Road, Walton-Le-Dale, Preston, 1981:  Many people will remember this big old cotton mill and I’m sure there will be readers who worked here in the past. In 1938 there was a massive fire at this mill, destroying one of the buildings completely.

Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, Preston, 1987

Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, Preston, 1987: One of the oldest Wesleyan Chapels in Preston and without the front ramp and steps you see there today. The building to the right (TSB) was originally the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Bridge at Junction of Waterloo Road & Tulketh Brow, Ashton, Preston c.1983

Bridge at Junction of Waterloo Road & Tulketh Brow, Ashton, Preston c.1983: Always know as ‘Danger Bridge’ and not without reason, as many a bus or truck has had problems in going under it without escaping damage. The bridge was eventually raised to prevent such accidents.

 Chapel of Our Lady of Victories, Chapel Street & East Cliff, Preston 1985

Chapel of Our Lady of Victories, East Cliff, Winckley Square, Preston 1985: This very well hidden church used to be the oratory chapel of the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus on Winckley Square.

View of construction of New Road Bridge from Penwortham, Preston, 1984

View of construction of New Road Bridge from Penwortham to Preston, 1984: Before this bridge was constructed, All traffic from the south west side had to make its way down Penwortham Hill to Strand Road to be able to enter the town or to travel north. We may have our moans and groans about it but it really alleviated Strand Road from being completely congested, especially during ‘rush hours’.

Fishergate (lower north side), Preston 1989

Fishergate (lower north side), Preston 1989: You can just see Brucciani’s cafe to the right but what was the gown shop called on the far left? …Anyone?

Grey Horse Pub, Church Street (south side), Preston, 1986

Grey Horse Pub, Church Street (south side), Preston, 1986: This view hasn’t changed that much over the years but the interior has had dramatic makeovers since the 80’s. Anyone go in there around that time?

The Holehouse, Pechell Street, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, 1985

The Holehouse, Pechell Street, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, 1985: This building looks very similar even today. At one time, this was a farmhouse with many outbuildings adjacent. It is now the West Orange Recording Studio and it’s quite notable to know that this is the place that the song ‘Brimful of Asha’ by Cornershop was made …remember that one?

Lime Kiln Inn, Aqueduct Street, Preston November 1987

Lime Kiln Inn, Aqueduct Street, Preston November 1987: The Lime Kiln Inn is sadly no more and in fact the building is currently vacant following the demise of the China House Restaurant. Immediately behind the position of the camera was, at one time, the very narrow Aqueduct carrying the Lancaster Canal.

George Hotel, Church Street (south side), Preston March 1987

George Hotel, Church Street (south side), Preston March 1987: The George Hotel was known as one of Preston’s most haunted places and there was even a TV programme made about it. Prior to 1926/7 this establishment was known as the Horse Shoe Inn.

Ratners Jewellers and othe shops, Fishergate (north side), Preston 1980

Ratners Jewellers and othe shops, Fishergate (north side), Preston 1980: Now who remembers Ratners? They ended up selling some unbelievable tat before they disappeared from the ‘high street’.  This building used to be the premises of one of Preston’s popular public house’s and was known as the Borough Tavern and to the right was another hostelry known as The Grey Horse and Seven Stars. Both pubs closed down in 1923 and the latter was demolished to enable the Preston Guardian (later Lancashire Evening Post) to extend their premises.

We hope that you have enjoyed looking back twenty-five to thirty years ago and will look forward to another helping of 80’s heaven next week. Don’t forget to share your reminiscences and thoughts on any of the pictures, after all, this is what this series is all about.

Nostalgic 1980’s Preston revealed in pictures series: Part 8 can be viewed here and Part 10 (final) here

Also see our Preston in the 60’s and 70’s series starting here.

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Our grateful thanks go to the Preston Historical Society for kindly providing these images.

Did you recall any or all of the scenes in these images? Let us know in the comments below.

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Preston in pictures Preston Bus 207 PO56 JDX (Scania N94UB / East Lancs Esteem)24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

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