In 1980 Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, unemployment hit a 44-year high of 1.9 million and the Tyne & Wear Metro officially opened between Haymarket and Whitley Bay after six years of construction.
Looking back at these photographs of Newcastle in 1980 and 1981 it's clear not much has changed in the city in 40 years.
The Metro looks largely the same and so does the city centre. Largely, the quality of the photos and vehicles captured in them give their age away.
The biggest change is the Quayside. Now a hustling hot spot of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, in 80 and 81 the riverside was still characterised by its industrial past and fairly rundown.
So let's have a look back over 40 years and see how much we can recognise.
5. Newcastle Playhouse in 1980
Following a £9.5 million refurbishment it re-opened as Northern Stage on 27th August 2006. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries
6. Central Station
A very familiar view in 1980. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries
7. Exhibition Dome
The photograph has been taken from the grounds of St. Thomas Church looking across to the dome on the other side of Percy Street. The dome has been erected in the car park in front of the Newcastle Playhouse. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries
8. Lord Mayor's Parade 1981
NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries