The Changing Face of Bristol & its People

Two photographs depicting the same view, one taken a period of time after the other, give us an instantaneous impression of ' then ' and 'now '. Some comparisons show old views that are instantly recognisable, where the natural passage of time and technology has made only slight changes. Other views illustrate major change and it can be difficult to comprehend that an area has altered so much. Unless you have lived through a change and can remember what was there before, there is often no reason to question what building was replaced or how the area functioned in the past.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - U SHED - CITY DOCKS - 1946 - 2001

THEN - Dockers unloading outside U-Shed - Woodpulp from Scandinavia is being transferred to road vehicles or barges for its journey on to the papermills in St Annes.

NOW - The transit sheds on this side are now bars and restaurants - What was once a working dock with the associated dirt and smells sights and sounds is now a popular area where people relax and enjoy their leisure time - A lot of character has been lost but it makes an appealing place to sit and watch the world go by.

THEN AND NOW - CHELTENHAM - GLOUCESTER ROAD - 1938 - 2001

THEN - An interesting feature of this picture is the amount of advertising for Georges Beers the name is on the railway bridge the tram and on the public-house - Until it was taken over by Courage's it was Bristol's major brewery.

NOW - Only a few details have changed in the 2001 scene

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - CORN STREET - 1919 - 2001

THEN - This street was the main financial area of Bristol and housed banks and insurance offices until the 1980s when many of the major banks moved out.

NOW - Some financial establishments survive but most of the impressive buildings are now converted into pubs or nightclubs for example the colonnaded Commercial Rooms is now a Wetherspoons pub in total there are 22 eating and drinking establishments in this historic street.

THEN AND NOW - BRISTOL HARBOURSIDE - 1947 - 2001

THEN - A view of St Augustine's Reach showing cranes that operated from the roofs of the transit sheds and the types of shipping that would have been a familiar sight in Bristol at that time.

NOW - No more ships and cranes but a new bridge was built in 1999 - With its distinctive 'horns' now provides access through to the cathedral.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - THE CUMBERLAND BASIN - 1952 - 2001

THEN - The Cumberland Basin looking towards Hotwells - The Basin was first created between 1804 - 1809 as part of the Floating Harbour development which helped to solve the problems of the tidal flow and kept ships afloat when in dock - The drag-boat was necessary to dredge the Basin and was part of Brunel's later improvement scheme - The terraces of Clifton Wood and one end of the suspension bridge can be seen in the distance.

NOW - Major construction in the early 1960s saw the loss of buildings on the edge of the Basin such as the Star and Pilot hotels - They made way for Bristol's first multi-level road junction the Cumberland Basin Bridge Scheme.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - CLARE STREET - 1917 - 2001

THEN - This Street was a mix of insurance companies and banks such as the Capital & Counties Bank with its elaborate facade on the right - The street also had shops particularly hatters such as Daniel Parsley whose family firm had been going for generations - Early moving pictures could be seen in this street at the Picture House it was one of Bristol's earliest purpose-built cinemas.

NOW - The street is now pedestrianised but still contains many fine old buildings several traces of former occupiers can be seen in faded lettering.

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