A decade of change and contrast, the 1970s saw communities across the Black Country, Staffordshire and the surrounding areas remain rooted in industry, close-knit neighbourhoods and bustling high streets, even as towns and estates adapted to redevelopment, changing economies and new ways of living.
From busy shopping scenes and Silver Jubilee celebrations to demolition sites, modern housing schemes and everyday moments, these images capture a period of transition, resilience and community spirit that helped shape the region's identity.
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Missed our 1960s gallery? Take a trip back in time here.
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13. Bowen Street area, Tipton, 1973
Bowen Street, Tipton, in 1973, where West Bromwich Corporation set out plans to revive a run-down area through the clearance of a derelict canal, the construction of new council housing, and the landscaping of neglected land. The photograph captures residents Alice Cave and Gail Morgan, set against a backdrop reflecting both the challenges of decline and the early stages of planned renewal. | Express & Star archive
14. Church Road and Wood Road, Codsall, 1973
A scene from Codsall in December 1973, where traders in Church Road and Wood Road expressed concern that a newly built bypass had left them feeling “marooned”. The photograph reflects their frustration as local businesses reported trade falling by up to 50 per cent, capturing a moment of uncertainty and change as shifting traffic patterns began to reshape the fortunes of the village high street. | Express & Star archive
15. River Sow, Stafford, 1974
Angling enthusiasts on the River Sow in Stafford in September 1974 voiced concerns over the declining condition of the waterway, once associated with the idyllic standards described by Izaak Walton in The Compleat Angler. The photograph captures a fisherman releasing an unusual “catch” back into the river - an old oil can - offering a striking reminder of the environmental challenges facing local waterways at the time. | Express & Star archive
16. High Street, Chasetown, 1974
A moment of change and uncertainty on High Street, Chasetown in October 1974, where plans for a major redevelopment scheme including new shops, offices and car parks were rejected by Lichfield District Council’s planning applications committee. The photograph captures an old telephone box standing quietly on the street, a familiar everyday landmark set against the backdrop of debate over how the town should evolve. | Express & Star archive