It was the decade of Thatcher and Reagan, Dallas and Dynasty, Duran Duran and The Smiths.
In terms of York’s long history these photographs weren’t taken that long ago. But the city in the 1980s was significantly different to the one we live in today.
Allan Harris has been chronicling York for decades – and these are from his collection of pictures of York in the Eighties.
So… what do you remember about York in the era of the yuppies and the big shoulder pad?
Eighties gallery
People chill out on Tower Street in 1985 – note the old fire engine in the backgroundEntertainment in St Sampson’s Square in 1985
This building is now part of the Missoula Bar on Bridge Street – taken in 1985
An icy Ouse, from 1985
Fairly new in 1985, this is the Coppergate CentreLittle Stonegate looking towards its big brother in 1985Allan came across this accident close to Earswick in 1983The Yorkshire Evening Press was still operating from this building in 1982 – now City Screen and other venuesYork Insignia used to sit below Minerva in 1982When you could still park by York Minster in 1982Woodsmill had not long been closed in 1982This King’s Staith building was a private house in 1982 before it became a riverside restaurantGone but not forgotten, Scott the butcher, home of York ham, in 1980York from the air in 1986Can you spot many changes from 33 years ago?Ouse Bridge looking through to cars parked on King’s Staith in 1986Buskers on the streets in 1986Street artists at work in 1986The Eye of York in 1986. In the top right, archaeologists are digging through the old Redfearn site
The river at sunset in 1986
In 1985 York Minster is still bandaged up after the disastrous fire the previous year
You can see the plastic roofing on the Minster in this view of York from 1985 tooOpen your bank account, Britain…What was the North Eastern rail HQ in 1985, long before it was the Grand HotelTaylors Tearooms on Stonegate in 1982 – now Little Betty’sWe can spot Mascot Furs and Kong Restaurant on this shot of Stonegate in 1982Lendal Bridge from the air in 1986The Coppergate dig is uncovering Jorvik, 1981Emperor’s Wharf before gentrification – 1982A red tower sculpture outside York Art Gallery in 1987Prince Andrew hits town in 1987Juggling with fire in 1986What was Naburn Hospital, now the site of York Designer Outlet
