The first 18 years of my life were spent growing up in and around Rotherham, South Yorkshire, so on a visit to my mum I decided it was time to get more shots of the town centre.
High Street was once a thriving shopping area, with a particular emphasis on clothes. Local companies like Muntis and Speed, regional companies like Wakefield Army Stores, and national companies like British Home Stores all had their shops on this street, and there was a large Boots pharmacy.
The shops of the Rotherham Cooperative, and the open market, were once situated beyond the top of High Street, making this a busy street as shoppers made their way to those shops, as well as using the shops along here.
The Coop has now closed and the market has moved to the opposite side of the town centre, changing this a peripheral shopping location, and a number of shops along here are now closed and disused. All those companies listed above have moved away from here, or have gone out of business, although Primark have moved in.
As you can see, even on market day there are few people in the street - quite a contrast to the scene when I was a youngster.
Thank you Richard - Rotherham centre has suffered at the hands of out of town centres, with Meadowhall in Sheffield to the west, and Parkgate to the north-east.
Thank you Pete - since I took this I've come across a photo in a book taken just over 100 years ago, with trams running along here, and lots of people. Quite a change!
Thank you Padlock - so many of our towns are changing in similar ways.
Ian
Thank you Therese, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Graham, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Gill - the buildings are a fascinating mixture, from medieval times to the 1960s.
Ian
Thank you Jacqui, it is a very pleasant street now the traffic has been diverted away from it.
Ian
Thank you Ferry, it's handy to be able to get this view from a hill on a neighbouring street.
Ian
Thank you Richard - Rotherham centre has suffered at the hands of out of town centres, with Meadowhall in Sheffield to the west, and Parkgate to the north-east.
Ian
Thank you Dianne - it is fascinating to see places from our past, and it was great to have an opportunity to get some photos there.
Ian
Thank you Pete - since I took this I've come across a photo in a book taken just over 100 years ago, with trams running along here, and lots of people. Quite a change!
Ian
You have much more of a challenge getting shots - the hills make it rather easy sometimes!
Ian
Thank you Bob - Rotherham is a fascinating mixture of styles and ages!
Ian
Thank you Rose - sometimes it's a bit of a shock looking back and seeing what has changed!
Ian