The Hartford Collection: Corporation Road / Rendel Street, West Marsh, Grimsby — June 1970

This photograph, taken in June 1970, records a section of Corporation Road in Grimsby’s West Marsh, at its junction with Rendel Street, during a period of widespread demolition and clearance that was transforming the area.

The photograph provides a detailed record of the older West Marsh streetscape and its businesses. At the right-hand edge is part of Mick McGarry’s betting shop at No. 13 Corporation Road, followed by the ornate frontage of J. Price, Chemist, at Nos. 15–17. Beyond it was the West Marsh Post Office at No. 19, while G. Panton, Baker, occupied No. 21. The contemporary directory also records a hairdresser at No. 23. Together, these businesses illustrate the varied commercial character of Corporation Road at the time.

The surviving Rendel Street and Corporation Road signs, elaborate shopfronts, architectural details, advertisements and street furniture make this an especially valuable record of the area. A Ford Anglia is parked in the road, while a red pillar box stands outside the shops.

A Flashman poster on the gable provides another fascinating contemporary detail. It advertises the June 1970 London launch of the first paperback edition of George MacDonald Fraser’s Flashman, published by Pan Books. Its appearance provides a particularly useful contemporary dating clue for the photograph.

The scene is especially significant because it captures the West Marsh at a moment of profound change. Much of the older residential and commercial environment shown here would subsequently disappear as the area underwent extensive clearance and redevelopment. The photograph therefore preserves not only the buildings themselves, but also a detailed record of everyday life — its shops, businesses, advertisements, vehicles, street furniture and architectural character.

The original colour slide had suffered substantial degradation, including fading, discolouration and other age-related deterioration. Extensive restoration work was required to recover its colour, contrast and detail while retaining the character of the original photographic image. The restoration was undertaken by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.

Original colour slide: The Hartford Collection Date: June 1970 Location: Corporation Road at Rendel Street, West Marsh, Grimsby Restoration: Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum