Close your eyes, and let’s travel back in time to an era when Harrow was buzzing with excitement, a time before the internet took over the world and people were more chilled out!.
The late 1980s and early 1990s were a whirlwind of fashion, catchy tunes, and the birth of iconic landmarks that still hold a special place in our hearts to this day – Harrow was no different.
St Anns Shopping Centre
Picture it: the winter of 1987. Harrow welcomed the grand opening of St Anns Shopping Centre by Princess Diana herself on College Road (and St Anns Road). Imagine the thrill of stepping inside, greeted by the promise of endless fashion possibilities of some of these big name brands.
Marks & Spencer and Topman were among the first shops, offering the latest trends that swept the nation at the time. St Anns became the beating heart of Harrow’s shopping scene until the arrival of St George’s in 1996.
C&A and Changing Landscapes
In the midst stood C&A, a beloved family clothing store that was a cornerstone of many lives, we think everyone remembers heading there to get school essentials – they even sold toys!. It’s fascinating how time changes things – where C&A once stood proudly, Lidl supermarket stands today in 2023, the ever-evolving face of Harrow’s retail world is changing all the time and today is no different.
Pavement Pedestrianisation
Take a glance at the St Anns Road picture, and you’ll notice the forward-thinking spirit of Harrow. Pedestrianised pavements allowed shoppers to wander around, the nearby Burton was a popular shop until its closure in the 2000s. Liberated from the hustle of traffic, It wasn’t just a change in infrastructure; it was an invitation to linger, explore, and enjoy the pulse of the town and something that remains to this day.
The Royal Oak: A Pub with a Tale to Tell
Ah, The Royal Oak – a pub that saw it all. Renamed the ‘Rat & Parrot’ in the wave of quirky 80s spirit, only to reclaim its original name later on.The building itself dates back to the late 1800s, and as you can see from the image, it still remains largely similar to that of today.
Do you have any photos of Harrow or surrounding areas you’d like to share with us? Please drop us an email to info@harrowonline.org, we’d love to see them!.
See more pictures of Harrow in the 1980s here.
