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Remember Brierley Hill in the 1980s? 17 pictures to take you back

This gallery brings together some of the people and moments that filled the news pages during the 1980s.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

From a much-loved comedian opening a brand new £4 million shopping complex, to familiar street scenes and local industry, step back into the 1980s with this nostalgic collection from the Express & Star archives - and share your memories in the comments.

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November 8, 1985: 'Comedian Les Dawson got a rousing reception from a 200-strong Black Country crowd today at the opening of a new £4 million shopping complex. The new precinct at Moor Street, Brierley Hill, was packed for the appearance of the Blankety Blank star, and Les is pictured getting a hearty hug from some of the shoppers.'
November 8, 1985: 'Comedian Les Dawson got a rousing reception from a 200-strong Black Country crowd today at the opening of a new £4 million shopping complex. The new precinct at Moor Street, Brierley Hill, was packed for the appearance of the Blankety Blank star, and Les is pictured getting a hearty hug from some of the shoppers.'
High Street, Brierley Hill. This photograph includes the premises of the library, Midland Bank, Don Foyle, Sketchley, Supasnaps, Dewhurst, Sun Valley and Staffordshire Building Society.
High Street, Brierley Hill, during the 1980s. This photograph includes the premises of the library, Midland Bank, Don Foyle, Sketchley, Supasnaps, Dewhurst, Sun Valley and Staffordshire Building Society.
'Modern' Brierley Hill High Street, as it was described in September 1983.
'Modern' Brierley Hill High Street, as it was described in September 1983.
'A team of Black Country craftsmen battled through the night to provide equipment for a stricken North Sea oil rig. The workers at Carbern in Brierley Hill gave up their sleep to complete a £40,000 order to get the Indie rig in the Norwegian sector back into production.' The photograph shows Colin Barnsley drinking coffee to keep awake after working overnight to complete the rush order, in June 1988.
'A team of Black Country craftsmen battled through the night to provide equipment for a stricken North Sea oil rig. The workers at Carbern in Brierley Hill gave up their sleep to complete a £40,000 order to get the Indie rig in the Norwegian sector back into production.' The photograph shows Colin Barnsley drinking coffee to keep awake after working overnight to complete the rush order, in June 1988.