21 retro photos of Market Street in Newcastle through the decades

Let’s look at Market Street and Newcastle’s development through the years.

Published 20th Apr 2024, 07:00 BST

Market Street connects Newcastle’s city centre, running from Grainger Street to the west of the city centre, passing through Grey Street, John Dobson Street and Pilgrim Street.

Most of the buildings were built during the 19th Century redevelopment of the city by Richard Grainger.

The street was extended around 1908, so most of the buildings east of John Dobson Street were built in the 20th Century- including Plummer House (1910) and Carliol House (1927), both of which are Grade 2 listed buildings. Market Street has been home to many prominent shops over the years, including Bainbridge’s and Binns- both feature heavily in this collection of photographs.

Bainbridge’s moved from Market Street in 1976 after calling the busy road home since opening as a draper’s and fashion shop in 1838.

Binns was located next to Bainbridge’s on the corner of Grey Street at Market Street. And when the the larger shop was vacated, Binns moved in.

The shop was hugely popular until it closed its doors in January 1995. Branches in Sunderland, South Shields and Hartlepool had already been closed.

Here we have an amazing collection of Market Street’s development, thanks to Newcastle Libraries.

What are your favourite memories of the street?

Take a look and let us know.

Outside Binns, Grey Street/Market Street. Taken by Laszlo Torday, who arrived in Tynemouth in January 1940 from Hungary and took most of his photographs of Tyneside during the 1960's and 1970's. They reflect his interest in the streets and people of Newcastle especially of central Newcastle and the suburbs of Heaton and Jesmond

1. c. mid-70s

Outside Binns, Grey Street/Market Street. Taken by Laszlo Torday, who arrived in Tynemouth in January 1940 from Hungary and took most of his photographs of Tyneside during the 1960's and 1970's. They reflect his interest in the streets and people of Newcastle especially of central Newcastle and the suburbs of Heaton and Jesmond Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of the frontage of Binns department store on Market Street/Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken c.1932. The photograph has been taken from the other side of Grey Street looking across to Binns.

2. 1932

A view of the frontage of Binns department store on Market Street/Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken c.1932. The photograph has been taken from the other side of Grey Street looking across to Binns. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of a mounted Police Officer Market Street Police Station taken c. post 1933. The photograph shows a Police Sergeant who has ridden his horse up the steps which lead to one of the entrances into the building.

3. Post-1933

A view of a mounted Police Officer Market Street Police Station taken c. post 1933. The photograph shows a Police Sergeant who has ridden his horse up the steps which lead to one of the entrances into the building. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of the frontage of Binns department store Grainger Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1995.

4. 1995

A view of the frontage of Binns department store Grainger Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1995. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

Newcastle Memories Sunderland South Shields Hartlepool

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