A last look at the interior of the old Empire Theatre on Tithebarn Street in Preston. The stage boards have gone and the boxes and bingo site remain - but not for long. The Empire - which opened in 1911 - was Preston's oldest surviving theatre until it was converted into a bingo hall in 1964. It was torn down in 1976placeholder image
A last look at the interior of the old Empire Theatre on Tithebarn Street in Preston. The stage boards have gone and the boxes and bingo site remain - but not for long. The Empire - which opened in 1911 - was Preston's oldest surviving theatre until it was converted into a bingo hall in 1964. It was torn down in 1976

I hardly recognise these retro scenes of Preston in various states of ruin and regeneration

Claire Lark
By Claire Lark

Nostalgia and Property Writer

Published 20th Feb 2025, 11:41 BST

Preston has certainly seen a lot of change over the years...

And, while regular city-goers may bemoan the seemingly-constant roadworks and building projects going on these days, rest assured that ‘twas always thus, as demonstrated by these incredible pictures.

I hardly recognise these retro scenes of Preston in various states of ruin and regeneration. They also feature countless buildings now wiped clean from the face of the cityscape.

Take a look and see if you can remember them...

ICYMI: Bygone Preston: 'I stepped back in time and visited Preston in the 1980s - here's what I saw'

I travel through the years to revisit Preston Railway Station and this how it was

35 intriguing pictures from the archives reveal Preston in bygone times

Don’t miss our weekly retro newsletter, it’s fun, it’s free, it’s the LEP.

This is the community off Fishergate Hill, Preston in 1977. A blighted landscape caught in a trough between corporation schemes and condemned to further decay for at least five years. These particular buildings were found on Beech Street which was earmarked to make way for the proposed Penwortham by-pass

25. Demolished Preston

This is the community off Fishergate Hill, Preston in 1977. A blighted landscape caught in a trough between corporation schemes and condemned to further decay for at least five years. These particular buildings were found on Beech Street which was earmarked to make way for the proposed Penwortham by-pass Photo: National World

Photo Sales
This building, the former Swalbe's ladies outfitters on Church Street, Preston, had lain empty for a long time before demolition work was set to take place for a road widening scheme. But in 1974 rubble was spotted falling from the top storey and building inspectors decided this storey should be removed

26. Demolished Preston

This building, the former Swalbe's ladies outfitters on Church Street, Preston, had lain empty for a long time before demolition work was set to take place for a road widening scheme. But in 1974 rubble was spotted falling from the top storey and building inspectors decided this storey should be removed Photo: National World

Photo Sales
A workman removes slates from the roof in the first stage of demolition of St Vincent's School, Fulwood, back in 1960

27. Demolished Preston

A workman removes slates from the roof in the first stage of demolition of St Vincent's School, Fulwood, back in 1960 Photo: National World

Photo Sales
Derelict properties in Murray Street, Preston, captured in 1970

28. Demolished Preston

Derelict properties in Murray Street, Preston, captured in 1970 Photo: National World

Photo Sales
Previous
7 / 8
Next Page
Related topics:PrestonNewsletterLEP
News you can trust since 1886
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice