The Now photo.
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Image Reference No. : DP-TAN-TRAFFIC2-126
Details : This is a view looking down traffic Street from its junction with London Road. To take my 'now photo' I had to stand in the middle of the island outside Strutts pub!.
On the left side of Photo A is the Congregational Chapel built 1846, at the time the photo was taken it was a cinema (converted in 1935). In August 1961 despite many protests the cinema had to close under a compulsory purchase order to make way for the widening of Derby's new Traffic Street inner ring road.
Today there are lots of changes at this view as the former Main Centre was demolished in 2006 for the new Eagle Centre expansion by Westfield. When you look at the construction of modern buildings you can't but think how long they expect them to last. If the 1846 building had not been demolished I bet it would still be standing now, where as I can not imagine the new Eagle Centre with its steel sub structure will be around for more than 30 years.
On the right side of both photos the small building of Castlefields church can be seen, originally called 'Derby Town Mission'. Visit the Castlefields Church website for more information by clicking here.
Photo A taken : 1936 (Postcard)
Photo B taken : 17th April 2006
Time elapsed : 70 years
Map Location : Click HERE.
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Image Reference No. : DP-TAN-HIGHSTREET-127
Details : This is a view of High Street which is off London Road, near Midland Road. In Photo A you can see that this street used to be somewhat longer than today, it used to connect to Osmaston Road at the top. This street along with others such as Clifton street, Bloomfield Street, Regent street and Litchurch Street were all demolished about 1975. In both photos, the one and only building that does remain at the bottom of High street (at 156-160 London Road) is Bob Minion, they set up business in Derby in 1925 on Canal Street, they moved to the current location in 1964. A family run business and the oldest Honda motorbike dealer in the U.K.
Photo A taken : 1964
Photo B taken : 17th April 2006
Time elapsed : 42 years
Map Location : Click HERE.
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Photo Description : Lord Belper pub, Abbey Street, Derby
Image Reference No. : DP-TAN-ABBEYSTREET1-128
Details : This is a view of where the bottom of Spa Lane
meets Abbey Street. Abbey Street is the longest street in Derby and probably
the straightest too.
In photo A you see that this corner was occupied by the Lord Belper pub,
this pub closed down in January 1962 and demolished a few months later.
As you can see today the building has been replaced with a small garden
surrounded by railings. All of the terraced houses in the background of
photo A have all been replaced with modern housing. Now the pub has gone
you get a clear view of Tatlers
Printers when driving up Abbey Street. Tatlers was founded in 1926
by William Tatler and his son Jack, They originally worked from home at
234 Burton road. In the mid 1930's they moved to the present Abbey street
premises which was originally built as a Silk mill. Nice to see that the
traditional red British post box remains at the bottom of Spa Lane, Spa Lane
is a one-way street but only at the top part of it, Unfortunately this
seems to confuse some people who end up turning off Burton road directly
into your path.
Photo A taken : 1948
Photo B taken : 16th April 2006
Time elapsed : 58 years
Map Location : Click HERE.
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Image Reference No. : DP-TAN-BOYERSTREET-129
Details : This is a view of a pub at 12 Boyer Street on the end of Warner Street. In photo A the pub was called the Buxton Hotel, in 1998 it changed its name to the George Cross.
Notice how in Photo A the area beyond the pub are the backs of houses on Warner Street, Nearly all of Boyer Street was demolished in the late '70's as part of the 'St Lukes Area Regeneration' project. The Buxton Hotel remained because of a feature in either the roof or cellar which caused it to become a listed building.
The houses on Boyer Street were terraced directly adjoining the pub, what can be seen in photo A is the rubble/cleared ground prior to the building of the new homes as seen in photo B.
Thanks to Geoff Lee for this info!
Photo A taken : 1982
Photo B taken : 16th April 2006
Time elapsed : 24 years
Map Location : Click HERE.
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Image Reference No. : DP-TAN-LITTLEEATON2-130
Details : This is a view of the Little Eaton Gangway Little Eaton and also a branch of the former Derby Canal. As you can see only the the corner of the wharf building can be seen poking above modern buildings now, The Derby Canal and the gangway have long since gone from this scene.
If you would like to learn more about the Little Eaton gangway then I recommend reading The Little Eaton Gangway & Derby Canal by David Ripley ISBN 0-85361-431-8
Photo A taken : 1908
Photo B taken : 17th June 2005
Time elapsed : 98 years
Map Location : Click HERE.