Lancashire Evening Post, Fishergate (north side), Preston 1989: No submitting things on-line then; you had to go in to the LEP and actually write stuff on a form or phone it in, from a house phone or a telephone box …how tedious!

The Balmoral Public House & Manchester Road Mill, Preston 1984: Anyone recall the Balmoral becoming the Beat Street Cafe?

Webbs (Preston) Ltd., Lawson Street, Preston 1986: Although I pass the site of this area quite often, I actually couldn’t remember whether or not this building was still there. Turns out that there is a block of newish flats there now. Sometimes think that I’ve been in a time warp!

Preston Dock Basin 1980: What an amazing site this is and although I can never remember the docks looking like this, it makes me feel sad to see that the shipping has all gone now. The brick constructed warehouse on the right remains today as apartments, so at least something remains of this once great place.

Helliwells and Conroy & Jones, Lune Street (west side), Preston 1987: Used to go for typewriter ribbons at Conroy & Jones, the shop was like a mini Staples store. To me, Hellewells seems to have been there for as long as I can remember; I’m told that this firm have been around in Preston for many, many years. Any of you men buy your gear from there?

Upper section of Friargate (south side), Preston 1984: I can’t say that I recall any of these shops. Anyone else?

Shops, 86-88 Fishergate (north side), Preston 1984: I once had an account at Northern Rock; glad I closed it a few years later. Is that a post box in the foreground?

Shops and Offices 63-65 Fishergate (south side) Preston 1982: I had to check to see if these buildings were still standing as I just couldn’t recall seeing them lately. The answer was that they are no longer there, instead there is a block of new offices which are not refurbishments of these buildings but an entire new-build. I shall have to look into the history of these premises and find out more about them.

Junction of Fishergate and Mount Street, Preston 1985: I used to love Sweetens bookshop and the way the staircase so creaked when you ascended them; and the upstairs floor!

Fishergate, Corporation Street Junction, Preston 1987: This block of shops is known as Victoria Buildings and has seen so many businesses come and go over many years. Looking at the Red Rose Video shop makes me feel strangely sad that you can’t browse through all the titles and find something good to view; just not the same browsing though a catalogue on a screen.

Kids Stuff Shop, Church Street (south side), Preston 1988: Been in Kids Stuff and bought a pram or two in my time. Don’t think I’ve been to the shops either side though. Anyone else?

Cotton Mill facing County Record Office, River Street off Bow Lane, Preston 1985: This old mill was demolished but the small building in front of it on the Bow Lane side remains. The photo was taken from the grounds of the Record Office of that time.

Junction of Church Street (north side) and Pole Street, Preston 1983: Some very old buildings stand here on Pole Street and I’m pleased to say that to this day they still remain. Of course the Gul Shan is now the Balti Raj restaruant and the mill building has been somewhat renovated; although, if you view it in the present day the two upper central openings have had PVC doors fitted and I have often wondered if they can be opened from the inside. I have the thought that if you were inside and forgot about the drop, it could be disastrous. An interesting building is the one with the EWS sign on the wall. This is 1 Pole Street and was once the family home of Edith Rigby (nee Rayner), Preston’s celebrated suffragette who, when she married, moved to 28 Winckley Square. Although this building still remains, it is boarded up and has become a part of the premises on the left. Anyone remember what the EWS sign means?

Nelson Terrace, Preston 1984: Most of the properties in this area were demolished and Nelson Terrace was no exception. There is a short video of this street on Preston Digital Archive which can be viewed by following the link immediately below.

Christ Church Infant School, Fitzroy Street, Preston 1982: This little school building is no longer with us and was swept away and replaced by blocks of residential apartments. However, the houses in the background to the right are currently still in existence and occupied.