Cheapside, London 1974
$20.00
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A quiet Cheapside in 1974, captured at a time when the Square Mile still emptied almost completely outside office hours. On the left stands Woolworths — then a familiar presence across Britain — occupying part of the Victorian frontage that survived both the Blitz and the early waves of post-war redevelopment.
On the right, a row of 1950s–60s commercial buildings houses retailers such as Saxone Shoes, all typical of the “everyday City” long before Cheapside reinvented itself as a modern retail street. Looming above them is the brick flank of the City of London Magistrates’ Court (opened 1977), with the tower of St Mary-le-Bow just appearing further along.
Every building on the right-hand side of this view — all the way to the church — has since been demolished and replaced by large office-led developments in the 2000s and 2010s. This photograph preserves a rare glimpse of Cheapside’s transitional mid-20th-century streetscape, caught between Victorian heritage and the sweeping redevelopment still to come.
About Retro Stock Photography
Retro Stock Photography specializes in genuine vintage color photographs from the 1950s through the 1990s, all available as royalty-free instant downloads. Our photos are popular for editorial features, books, magazines, websites, documentaries, advertising, social media, local history projects, creative design, and as unique gifts when printed.
All of our images are scanned directly from original slides and negatives, preserving their authenticity, detail, and character. And because we own the original photographs and copyrights, all of our collection is exclusive to us and not available elsewhere.
Buy any 5 downloads and receive 15% off your entire order.