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14 brilliant photographs showing what Bristol life was like in the 1980s

Mark Taylor
·1-min read
The 1980s brought much change to Bristol - here are 10 pictures documenting what it was like to live in the city during that time.
The 1980s brought much change to Bristol - here are 10 pictures documenting what it was like to live in the city during that time.

The 1980s birthed a social revolution in the UK - a decade governed by Margaret Thatcher which featured mullets, strikes, hip-hop and great change for Bristol.

The pound coin was introduced in 1983, with the one pound note discontinued the following year, as the city struggled with huge spending cuts introduced by a Conservative government and rising unemployment.

Bristol World has selected images to show what everyday life looked like in Bristol during the time.

Petherton Road Infants School with a hot air balloon in its playground.
Petherton Road Infants School with a hot air balloon in its playground.

Some areas may look familiar, others not so much, and the same can be said about the fashion and hairstyles. Here are 14 images of Bristol throughout the 1980s.

And if you have any photographs of Bristol in the 1980s, we would love to see them. Please email hello@bristolworld.com

Photograph showing cars and trucks crossing the Cumberland Basin with the Suspension Bridge in the background.
Photograph showing cars and trucks crossing the Cumberland Basin with the Suspension Bridge in the background.
The Bedminster Cricket Club battle on a summer day with the suspension bridge in the background.
The Bedminster Cricket Club battle on a summer day with the suspension bridge in the background.
Schoolchildren sit by the harbourside during a school trip.
Schoolchildren sit by the harbourside during a school trip.
Shoppers peruse the Christmas Steps’ stores.
Shoppers peruse the Christmas Steps’ stores.
Primary school kids inspect a hot air balloon
Primary school kids inspect a hot air balloon
A furniture closes down.
A furniture closes down.
Snow covers Long Easton Drive.
Snow covers Long Easton Drive.
Derelict stores on Old Market get a revamp.
Derelict stores on Old Market get a revamp.
Residents living at York Place, Clifton, gather for a picture.
Residents living at York Place, Clifton, gather for a picture.
A crowd gathers in Clifton’s Dover Place.
A crowd gathers in Clifton’s Dover Place.
People stop and look over the Broadmead footbridge.
People stop and look over the Broadmead footbridge.
Housing estates were built and expanded throughout the decade.
Housing estates were built and expanded throughout the decade.