A look back at Wolverhampton and the Black Country in the 1980s, when high streets were busy, local shops were at the heart of everyday life, and familiar landmarks formed part of the rhythm of the week.
From bustling town centres and changing skylines to workplaces, communities and moments of local pride, these images capture a decade of transition, character and everyday stories.
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9. High Street, Brierley Hill, 1980s
A damp day on High Street, Brierley Hill during the 1980s, where shoppers continue to make their way along the pavements despite the weather. The familiar run of local names includes the library, Midland Bank, Don Foyle, Sketchley, Supasnaps, Dewhurst, Sun Valley and Staffordshire Building Society – a reminder of the busy mix of services and shops that once filled our town centres. A few people are seen out shopping, carrying on regardless of the drizzle. | Express & Star archive
10. Ring Road, Wolverhampton, 1981
Taken from the fire escape of the College of Adult Education in Old Hall Street, this October 1981 photograph captures the transformation of Wolverhampton as the ring road took shape. The rubble in the foreground marks the site of John Ireland's garage in Bilston Street, demolished to make way for the major road scheme. It's a powerful reminder of how familiar landmarks disappeared as the city was reshaped for the future. Do you remember watching the ring road being built and seeing parts of Wolverhampton change forever? | Express & Star archive
11. Brownhills, 1981
Brownhills in August 1981, when plans were being discussed for improved parking, enhanced shopping facilities, additional housing and a wider recreation improvement programme for the town. The scene captures everyday life outside familiar shopfronts including Tandy, Range Records & Tapes, Harris dry cleaning, Lloyds Chemist and Pricerite, with shoppers pausing in the street for a chat - a reminder of when high streets were as much about socialising as shopping. Do you remember those moments of stopping to catch up with neighbours while out in town? | Express & Star archive
12. Smith-Corona, typewriter factory, West Bromwich, 1981
The announcement of the closure of the Smith-Corona typewriter factory in West Bromwich in February 1981 marked the end of an era for local manufacturing and employment. It was a poignant moment in the town’s industrial story, reflecting wider changes as traditional industries faced uncertainty and decline. Do you remember when familiar factory names began to disappear from the local landscape? | Express & Star archive