Pictures of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s in County Durham

Each town, village and city within County Durham has changed over the decades, with those who live and work in these places noting the most significant changes. 

As part of this, The Northern Echo has taken a trip down memory lane and explored images from County Durham from the 1980s, 19990s and 2000s. 

Pictures of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s in County Durham:

The Magdalene Steps in Saddler Street in about 1970, showing the business premises of, from left to right, Sands hairdressers, Earl’s famous bakers and the "tiny tobacconists" also run by the Earl family:

The Magdalene Steps in Saddler Street (Image: ARCHIVE) Saddler Street in the 1980s, showing the business premises of K&J Peacock, fish, game and poultry dealer, Maynard’s sweet shop and the popular Coynes ladies and children’s outfitters:

Saddler Street in Durham City (Image: ARCHIVE) The toy shop of G & GWL Staddon in North Road in the 1970s. The window, with its distinctive yellow sun screens, was a popular stopping-off point for youngsters:

North Road circa 1970s (Image: ARCHIVE) Durham Market Place during the sand-blasting of the New Market, the Guild Hall, the Town Hall, the church and Lord Londonderry’s plinth in 1973. A large hand-painted sign in the centre of the picture states: "Fish Shop Open":

Durham Market Square in the 1970s (Image: ARCHIVE)  Looking up Silver Street from near the entrance of Moat Side Lane in 1975. A Renault 850T van is followed by a Renault 12TL. On the left is Curtis’s shoe shop, which was popular in the 1970s for its range of platform shoes:

Silver Street in the 1970s (Image: ARCHIVE) The cathedral from the bottom of South Street next to the old city library in the 1970s. Townhouses and apartments occupy the site today:

1970s Durham Cathedral (Image: ARCHIVE)  Looking across Milburngate in 1973, showing, from left to right, Stanton’s fish and chip shop, Maggie Reece’s sweet shop, The Five Ways Inn, and Oliver’s wet fish shop:

Milburngate 1970s (Image: ARCHIVE) The demolition of the King William the Fourth pub in North Road and the adjoining premises in 1973. Amazingly, the name of the demolition company on the bright yellow sign is Tremble:

The demolition of the King William the Fourth pub in North Road (Image: ARCHIVE)