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Sheffield Nostalgia.
¿Do You Remember the “Hole in the Road” and the Golden Days Downtown?
Do you feel that pang of nostalgia when someone mentions the “Hole in the Road” or the Corn Exchange? If so, you’re not alone. The images captured by Ray Brightman bring back a Sheffield that was once vibrant and distinctive, like a city frozen in a postcard of memories. His photos are like the refrain of an old song that transports us to a Sheffield that was different from what we know today.
“Leopold Street: A Trip Back in Time”
Ray Brightman’s lens immortalizes Leopold Street, as seen from Fargate. During the 1960s and ’70s, the Goodwin Fountain and iconic stores like Wilson Peck and Marshall & Snelgrove brought life to the area. The Grand Hotel, with its elegant facade, and the Department of Education offices complement the landscape of a city where every corner shone with personality.
The Scene on Commercial Street
Photos of Commercial Street capture the frantic hustle and bustle that characterized Sheffield, with its dense traffic surrounding Wheel Hill and the bridge that connected Barclays Bank to Turners Tool Stores. Sheffield pulsed with its commercial character, a place where the industrial and economic activity could be felt.
The Iconic “Hole in the Road”
For many locals, the “Hole in the Road” was an urban marvel that connected Castle Square to the rest of downtown through its underground walkways and shops. It was so unique that its disappearance in the 1990s left an indelible mark on the collective memory.
Corn Exchange, a Historic Testament
The Corn Exchange shone with its period architecture and the life bustling around it in the 1960s. Located at the Wharf Street intersection, it shared the street with Midland Bank and Horners Creameries. In a world where “everything changes,” this was a historic testament to a Sheffield that grew with vitality.
“Do You Miss the Old Trams and the Golden Era of Vintage Fashion?”
Brightman reminds us that Sheffield was and remains a mosaic of stories. His images withstand the test of time and evoke the nostalgia of those days when downtown had an unmatched character.
