While many older commercial buildings stand on original medieval building plots in the centre of Preston, the Victorians added the Covered Market, Market Street, Miller Arcade, and Orchard Street. The name of the street came from what stood close by – Chadwick’s Orchard. Nowadays it is a bustling street scene with shoppers moving up it towards the Covered Market and down to Friargate and St George’s Shopping Centre. In these images you can see how the area developed over the years – from the 1930s all the way to to the end of the 00s.
21. Orchard Street
This is what Orchard Street in Preston looked like back in 1980 - with clear pavements and road, rather than the all-paved area we know today Photo: Norman Wiggins
22. Orchard Street
When this image was taken in 1995 police were cracking down on motorists who flouted this 'no go' zone in Orchard Street, Preston. Offending drivers would be slapped with an on-the-spot fine or court proceedings if they were caught using the pedestrian-only street as a shortcut. This picture was taken at the top of of Orchard Street Photo: Lindsey North