And in this collection of images from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s – and even a few from the 1930s - show just how bustling it was. The variety of different shops drew shoppers in their droves but a sharp decline in the late 1980s and early 1990s saw many stores boarded over and some demolished. At the moment though Church Street is having something of a renaissance with lots of new shops and restaurants finding a home there, all part of the Stoneygate Masterplan. Four high-rise apartment blocks are taking shape also, just off Church Street. Do you remember Church Street when it looked like this? READ MORE: Wander down Church Street in the 1990s. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Shopping memories of Plungington Road in the 1990s. MORE MEMORIES: Last of the old-school boozers in Preston
Take a trip down memory lane looking back at people and places through the decades - from long, lost boozers to memorable moments in time and much, much more - sign up to our NEW newsletter here
![The odd jumble of striking buildings once made Church Street a mecca for shoppers in Preston town centre in 1985](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYzYzk4ZDNiLTMzOGItNGIzZC04YjU3LTg4NmZhNzY2MjhkNzpmMmY5Y2Q3OS1hMDIwLTQwNDUtYjYwNC0wZGJhMDQwOTgyNjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Church Street
The odd jumble of striking buildings once made Church Street a mecca for shoppers in Preston town centre in 1985 Photo: Archive
![This is what the underground Victorian public toilets on Church Street, Preston, looked like in 1972 - when they were still open for business](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiMzllNjFhLTc2NmItNDYxOS1hY2QzLWM2M2EyODc2MTMyZDpmYWI2NTdhMC02NjYzLTQ0NzktODNmYS00YmQ3YjRhMTk4NjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Church Street
This is what the underground Victorian public toilets on Church Street, Preston, looked like in 1972 - when they were still open for business Photo: Archive
![The junction of Church Street with Pole Street on the left and Blue Bell Place on the right - next to Church Court which was once home to the Preston Livery and Carriage Company](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc2OWZjNDhkLTNmYWQtNGZiZi05NDEyLTkyNTJhOTYxYzYzMzpjYzQ2ZTc4Ni1kYTVlLTRkMTItOGNjYy04Y2Q2MGY3M2ExN2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Church Street
The junction of Church Street with Pole Street on the left and Blue Bell Place on the right - next to Church Court which was once home to the Preston Livery and Carriage Company Photo: Archive
![The former Odeon cinema on Church Street, Preston, standing alongside Tokyo Jo's nightclub in 1995. Both buildings have now been demolished following a devastating fire last year](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEzMWEwNjY2LTcxY2EtNGZmZS1hMDUxLTZjY2QzZWQ3YTkzNzoxNWY1M2E0YS0xZTlhLTRiNjYtOWFmNy1mNzQyZjNjMGIzN2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Church Street
The former Odeon cinema on Church Street, Preston, standing alongside Tokyo Jo's nightclub in 1995. Both buildings have now been demolished following a devastating fire last year Photo: Ian Robinson