When Deansgate was 'dug up' for Bolton's new Woolworth store

We know how much you enjoy a good town centre picture from days gone by, so how about this cracker from 1958?

It shows the major building work going on in Deansgate which would ultimately result in a new Woolworth’s store opening the following year.

As well as being a record of major town centre development, it is also fascinating to look at the other shops on Deansgate at the time.

Marks and Spencer is instantly recognisable but it is located further along Deansgate from where it currently stands.

Dunn and Co was situated on the corner of Mealhouse Lane and had Fox’s photography studio on the floor above the shop.

And who remembers George Munro and Co? Judging by the size of its premises the wine and spirits trade must have been doing a roaring trade in Bolton at the time.

It is also interesting to see the giant advertisement for Capstan cigarettes on Dunn’s building. We tend to think that street advertising is a modern phenomenon but that’s clearly not the case - and whether you agree with tobacco advertising or not, you have to admit it’s far more stylish than the electronic ‘billboards’ which are cropping up everywhere.

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