West Street, Horsham 1978

This authentic 1970s colour photograph, captured in 1978, features a bustling street scene in the pedestrianised West Street of Horsham, West Sussex. The archival image documents a high density of shoppers dressed in characteristic late-70s fashion, including flared trousers, denim jackets, and bright polyester shirts. The commercial landscape is defined by a variety of retail units; on the left, the prominent “True-Form” shoe shop displays “SALE” posters and racks of footwear, while “Peter Lord” occupies the right foreground. Other visible signage includes “Rings,” “Drug Store,” and a large “Shop and Premises TO LET” sign from Churchman Burt. The architecture is a mix of traditional brick buildings with ornate white-painted windows and more modern, functional retail facades. A tall, slender lamp post stands in the center of the frame, and the street is paved with small stone setts. This factual record preserves the vibrant retail atmosphere and social aesthetic of this historic market town during 1978.