These photo gems turn back the clock to focus on Blackpool through a decade
Who can forget the sight of King Kong perched at the foot of Blackpool Tower? The massive – 85ft in fact – inflatable star came for the 90th birthday of Blackpool Tower. The giant ape was quite a sight, peering down on the people below – and no doubt distracted one or two motorists along the Promenade.
Some of the long gone shops are pictured and so is the dawn of a new era – when Houndshill opened. And there were urban issues too – abandoned cars and a derelict boating pool.
2. Blackpool 1980s
A giant champagne cork popped as Mayor Collin Hanson opened Hounds Hill shopping centre, 1980
3. Blackpool 1980s
A great aerial shot of Yeadon Way when it was still under construction in 1980. The road followed the old railway line to the site of Central Station and is named after Lancashire County Council surveyor Harry Yeadon. It was opened in January 1986.
4. Blackpool 1980s
Bond Street Fabrics, 1988 – this was the place to go when you needed new curtains and cushions
5. Blackpool 1980s
A strange sight for Blackpool when a bulldozer cleared a path for cars in the Town Centre, 1981
6. Blackpool 1980s
Hounds Hill in 1980 showing the stairs leading to the upper level cafe. Also in the pic is Alan Boyson ‘s stainless steel frieze and ceiling lights
9. Blackpool 1980s
North Shore Lift in 1983 and a derelict boating pool, complete with a couple of cars…
10. Blackpool 1980s
Assistants from the Bank Hey Street branch of Woolworths collected 500 signatures in three hours for a petition protecting against the sale of the store in 1982
11. Blackpool 1980s
Church Street junction with Regent Road Blackpool in 1985. The building with the cross on the roof is St John’s School and further along is the Stanley Arms / Blue Room.
12. Blackpool 1980s
The Oyster Catcher in 1981 showing Abingdon Street and Birley Street
This photo was taken in 1983 after a storm, The snack kiosk is wedged between posts on the pavement. There’s no caption with it to say where the photo was taken. Do you recognise the street?
14. Blackpool 1980s
Blackpool police headquarters court complex came down in 1981. It stood in South King Street. The old fire station was round the corner in Albert Road
15. Blackpool 1980s
NCP Car Park at the junction of Central Drive and Rigby Road, seen here in August 1984
Who can remember this? King Kong at The Tower in 1984
19. Blackpool 1980s
Derelict and abandoned cars on Erdington Road and Bethesda Square, attracted vandals in 1982
