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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25. Cleveland Street, Wolverhampton, c.1983
Cleveland Street, Wolverhampton, c.1983, looking west along a stretch of the town centre lined with well-remembered local names. Among the shopfronts captured are Gaytex, Sketchley, Pricenice Ltd and the Bargain Book Centre, reflecting the everyday mix of fashion, services and value shopping that defined the high street at the time. Do you remember when streets like this were packed with independent and familiar chain stores side by side? | Express & Star archive
26. Hagley Roman Catholic High School, 1983
Winning a questionnaire at a fire station open day led to an unforgettable experience for Lorna Harris, of Foley Road, Pedmore. In October 1983, the Hagley Roman Catholic High School pupil spent a day with firefighters, even accompanying them on a call-out to a warehouse fire. She is pictured with Martin Peters, capturing a moment many youngsters could only have dreamed of. Do you remember entering competitions like this, when the prize was an experience you would never forget? | Express & Star archive
27. The Dog and Partridge, Wednesfield, 1983
The Dog and Partridge public house, Wednesfield High Street, June 1983. This striking 16th-century building stood as a reminder of the area’s long history, watching over generations of High Street life. By the early 1980s, it remained a familiar local landmark, rooted in centuries of change while still at the heart of everyday community activity in Wednesfield. | Express & Star archive
28. Application Control Electronics, Bilston, 1983
Application Control Electronics, Bilston, March 1983, offering a glimpse inside the software facility at the new factory where the latest computer technology was beginning to take centre stage. The scene reflects a period of rapid change in industry, as traditional manufacturing was increasingly joined by emerging electronics and computing work. Do you remember when computers in the workplace still felt new and a sign of things to come? | Express & Star archive