The town was alive with activity, as the textile industry, once the backbone of Preston’s economy, was beginning to decline, making way for new industries and opportunities. The streets buzzed with local markets, and traditional shops lined the high street, offering everything from fresh produce to the latest fashions of the swinging sixties.
Preston North End Football Club remained a point of pride for locals, with Deepdale Stadium serving as a hub for sports fans. The city’s transport network was evolving, with new roads and bus routes, making travel more accessible for residents.
Culturally, 1969 saw Preston embracing the excitement of the era with music, cinema, and the arts flourishing in venues like the Public Hall and Odeon Cinema.
As Preston transitioned from its industrial roots, a sense of community remained strong. Families gathered in local parks, and events like the Preston Guild still held significant meaning. It was a time of progress and nostalgia, a blend of the old and new.
Let's take a trip down memory lane with this retro collection of archive images from Preston in 1969.
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1. Preston in 1969
Traffic control box at the junction of Lancaster Road and Church Street, Preston, March 8, 1969. Photo: n/a
2. Preston in 1969
Preston Bus Station During Construction 1969 Showing the south end of the construction site Photo by Norman Askew. Image courtesy of the Preston Historical Society. www.prestonhistoricalsociety.org.uk/ © Preston Historical Society. Photo: PDA
3. Preston in 1969
Many thanks to Malcolm Rae, from Fulwood, for today’s Looking Back photo. Malcolm writes: “This is a photograph of a group of Casualty staff at Preston Royal Infirmary in 1969, which includes myself as a student nurse.” Photo: Malcolm Rae
4. Preston in 1969
The Bull Ring, St. George's Shopping Centre, Preston 1969. Photo taken by Norman Askew and courtesy of Preston Digital Archive Photo: n/a