1980s Britain | The People's Archive
The 1980s were a politically turbulent decade that saw profound change, brought on by Thatcherism, which was characterised by economic upheaval and social tension, with city-wide riots and the de-industrialisation of much of Britain’s traditional industry such as coal mining, steel manufacturing and shipbuilding. In contrast to this, it also saw the rise of the City and big business.
Musically, it was a decade of cultural importance that saw the rise of New Wave, New Romantic and Goth scenes; towards the end of the decade, many bands from the north of England dominated the music scene, ending with the explosion of the Acid House and Madchester scenes during 1988/89.
Our archive collection from 1980s Britain captures your snapshots of everyday life during this memorable and eventful decade.
Photo © Kane Lyons/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Paul Glynn/The People’s Archive.
Photo © Ben Stark/The People’s Archive®
Photo © David Turner/The People’s Archive®
Photo © The People’s Archive.
Photo © Ben Stark/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Andrew Gallix / The People’s Archive®
Photo © Josef Minta/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Sophie Brown/The People’s Archive®
Welcome Home Daddy. Plymouth, 1982. “This is a photo of my big brother John, which my Mum took in Devonport Dockyard on 10th September 1982, the day my Dad returned from the Falklands. She said it was full of people, and families were allowed to go on the ship if they wanted to (my dad was on Andromeda), but she decided to stay on land and watch the Royal Marine’s Band. Apparently my brother was dancing away! He’s 2 years and 4 months here. After all the commotion, they jumped on the bus home and my mum sometimes jokes that she spent the next few weeks trying to wash all the dirt out of my Dad’s clothes.” – Sophie Brown.
Photo © Zach Turner/The People’s Archive®
Affleck’s Palace was opened in 1982 by James and Elaine Walsh. The unique and colourful maze-like layout of the building made it a hub for alternative culture. During the ‘Madchester’ years, when bands such as the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and Inspiral Carpets were at the height of their popularity, Affleck’s became a destination to buy baggy flared jeans and Leo B Stanley’s iconic ‘On the 5th Day God created MANchester’ T-shirts from Identity Clothing.
Photo © Mark Lansbury/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Rhudi Twidale/The People’s Archive ®
Photo © Rhudi Twidale/The People’s Archive ®
Photo © Paul Kayley/The People’s Archive®
Paul “This was taken in 1984 at Jacob’s Sports & Social Club when Everton won the FA Cup. It’s my Nan (and Joe her “fancy fella’ as my mum referred to him).”
Photo © Rick Meakin/The People’s Archive®
Rick”My brother Andy doing the turtle, we couldn’t afford lino so a piece of cardboard had to do!.
Photo © Michael Melis/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Naomi Holden / The People’s Archive®
Naomi “This was taken the day one of the cooling towers in the background was demolished. Myself and my sister were there to watch Fred Dinah bring it down.”
Photo © Adrian Perkins / The People’s Archive®
Photo © Robin Porter/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Dave Spence/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Josef Minta/The People’s Archive®
One of the images submitted at our crowdsourcing events at Bury Art Museum. This was submitted by Josef Minta, the photograph taken by his grandad.
Photo © Martin Pugh/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Howard Hutchinson/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Steve Chapple/The People’s Archive®
Photo © Jon Puleston / The People’s Archive®
All Images © The People’s Archive®/British Culture Archive, all rights reserved.
No usage or reproduction of any kind without prior permission of the copyright holder.
SUPPORT BCA
British Culture Archive is an independent archive and cultural resource set up through a genuine passion for photography. Since 2017, we have supported British photography by publishing and exhibiting works from photographers and by unearthing and giving a global platform to previously unseen photography.
Our online galleries and exhibitions will always be free for everyone. Public support and funding are vital for us to continue documenting and preserving important photography. If you appreciate our work, please consider donating through the link below.