They were busy, thriving times as these photos from the decade show. And also a time of great change, with many buildings being demolished and lost forever. But some of the places pictured here can still be seen in all their glory today. If you have any pictures of Preston in times gone by we would like to feature them on our website. Email [email protected]
5.
This view of Friargate, taken in 1986, will seem very peculiar to many people. With two-way traffic it doesn't look anything like this now, being largely pedestrianised and some of the shops, like C&A, having disappeared from the high street. The photo was sent in by reader Peter Reed Photo: Peter Reed
6.
This wintery scene from 1985 shows the Harris Student Housing in Preston. Image courtesy of Ian Thacker, Heather Crook and Preston Digital Archive
7.
Now home to a number of different shops, including Top Shop, this was the scene on Friargate in 1985 - the home of the Lancashire Evening Post and Farmers Guardian newspapers
8.
The cenotaph which stands proudly next to the Flag Market in the city centre looks largely the same, but the area around it has seen many changes over the years. Here in 1985 it was spruced up with new steps, plus new lampposts and bins