British High Streets
Vintage colour photos of British high streets, shops, and shopping centres from the 1950s to the 1990s, documenting everyday retail life across post-war Britain. Taken on colour film, these images capture town centres, shopping parades, department stores, and later covered shopping centres during a period of changing consumer habits and urban development.
This collection includes views of independent shops, chain stores, storefronts, signage, pedestrians, street scenes, and early shopping centres, reflecting how British retail environments evolved during the second half of the 20th century. From traditional high streets to newly built precincts, the photographs preserve a detailed visual record of shopping and commercial life before widespread redevelopment, out-of-town retail, and later modernisation reshaped many town centres.
All images are available as high-resolution, royalty-free digital downloads suitable for editorial, commercial, or personal use.
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2 High Street, Conwy, Wales 1965
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A Boots chemist shop in London 1973
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A London shoe shop seen in 1974
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A mobile butcher’s shop, London 1972
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A Cafe in London 1977
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Aberfeldy, Scotland 1973
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Aberfeldy, Scotland 1981
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Aberfoyle, Scotland 1968
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Abington Street, Northampton 1978
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Adams Pawnbroking, Cockenzie 1973
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American Fountain, Stratford upon Avon 1965
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Armada Way, Plymouth 1979
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Ashford Town Centre, Bank Street, Kent, 1971
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Bagpiper, Eastgate Street, Chester 1986
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Baker Street, London 1963
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Banbury, Oxfordshire 1960
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Banbury, Oxfordshire 1960s
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Banbury, Oxfordshire 1963
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Bank Street, Newquay, Cornwall 1977
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Barbican, Plymouth 1969
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Bargate and City Centre Shopping Street, Southampton, 1960
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Bedford Place, Brighton 1967
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Bench Street, Dover, Kent, 1956
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Big Biba, Kensington High Street 1974
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Biggin Street, Dover, Kent 1973
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Biggin Street, Dover, Kent, 1956
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Binns Department Store, Ferensway, Hull, 1977
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Birketts mobile baker van, Glenridding 1988
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Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley 1978
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Blackfriars Street and Tower Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk 1958
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Blairgowrie, Scotland 1968
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Blue Boar Row, Salisbury, Wiltshire, 1972
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Bricks, 55-59 Oxford Street, London 1970
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Bridge Street, Chester 1969
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Bridge Street, Chester 1980
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Bridge Street, Inverness 1977
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Bridge Street, London 1977
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Bridge Street, Northampton 1978
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Bridge Street, Stratford upon Avon 1968
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Bridge Street, Stratford upon Avon 1971
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British butchers shop seen in 1977
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British Grocery Shop Window at Christmas, 1950s
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British Grocery Shop Window at Christmas, 1950s
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British Grocery Shop Window at Christmas, 1950s
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British Grocery Shop Window at Christmas, 1950s
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British Grocery Shop Window at Christmas, 1950s
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British grocery shop, Christmas 1950s
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Broad Street, Welshpool 1971
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Broadgate, Coventry 1978
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Brompton Road, London 1967
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Brompton Road, London 1973
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Brook Street, London 1969
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Brook Street, London 1969
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Brook Street, London 1969