Cars and shoppers shared the space as they looked for bargains in the 1940s on the open air market that bordered Market Street, Church Street, Corporation Street and West Street, an area now given over to a multi storey car park and Bhs store. Looking towards Church Street "Buy UCP Tripe" urged the sign on that company's wall and names now gone include Maypole, Nevilles, Stead & Simpson and H Johns and Son. Still with us today, at either end of the picture, are H Samuel jewellers and the Grand Theatreplaceholder image
Cars and shoppers shared the space as they looked for bargains in the 1940s on the open air market that bordered Market Street, Church Street, Corporation Street and West Street, an area now given over to a multi storey car park and Bhs store. Looking towards Church Street "Buy UCP Tripe" urged the sign on that company's wall and names now gone include Maypole, Nevilles, Stead & Simpson and H Johns and Son. Still with us today, at either end of the picture, are H Samuel jewellers and the Grand Theatre | National World

48 ancient archive images of 1940s and 1950s Blackpool, from landmarks to locals eight decades ago

Claire Lark
By Claire Lark

Digital Journalist

Published 12th Aug 2024, 11:40 GMT

I often wonder what it was like to live in Blackpool years ago.

Things have changed so much - the landscape, the infrastructure - have the people changed? Society certainly has.

Blackpool as a seaside resort has never faltered though, it’s still as enticing as ever and while many of us opt for the beaches abroad, Blackpool still offers that classic British seaside feel. These pictures remember how our resort was in the 40s and 50s...

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For all your Blackpool nostalgia needs - sign up for the Gazette’s retro newsletter.

A bird's eye view of the Promenade in the late 1950s showing Blackpool Tower and the Palace Building

43. Blackpool, 1950s

A bird's eye view of the Promenade in the late 1950s showing Blackpool Tower and the Palace Building | National World

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Vic Oliver, comedian in Blackpool

44. Blackpool, 1950s

Vic Oliver, comedian in Blackpool | National World

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Fun and frolics on the beach at Blackpool

45. Blackpool, 1950s

Fun and frolics on the beach at Blackpool | National World

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Stan Mortensen and Stanley Matthews on the prom

46. Blackpool, 1950s

Stan Mortensen and Stanley Matthews on the prom | National World

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Feldmans Theatre (right ) and the Stanley buildings (left) now the site of Coral Island

47. Blackpool, 1950s

Feldmans Theatre (right ) and the Stanley buildings (left) now the site of Coral Island | National World

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Something is holding the interest of the hundreds of holidaymakers on Blackpool Beach - try counting the number of headscarfs!

48. Blackpool, 1950s

Something is holding the interest of the hundreds of holidaymakers on Blackpool Beach - try counting the number of headscarfs! | National World

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