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Bridge Street, SWINDON, SN1 1BL

The junction of Bridge Street and Fleet Street, taken in 1967. This junction was locally known as 'The Centre', with Burtons on one corner and a shoe shop [Simpsons?] on the other. One of those wonderful Daimler double deck buses belonging to Swindon Corporation is on its way up Bridge Street towards Regent Circus. That could be a Morris Oxford series 6 passing the bus.

A huge charity shop, selling furniture, household goods, and electrical goods. Is this a sign of the times? See Image]

North of Canal Walk. The far end of this street, and beyond, has been zoned to house contemporary bars and nightclubs.

The name of this tower of offices and council flats honours the last town clerk to the county borough of Swindon, from 1937-1974. He was the force behind Swindon's successful application for expansion under the Town Development Act 1952 and the industrial diversification of a town previously dominated by the railway works. This building, completed in 1976, was also his idea. Designed by Douglas Stephen and Partners, it is unrivalled on the skyline of Swindon and in my view thoroughly deserves to be.

It seems odd to promote one shopping area on a building in another declining area – Bridge Street – which seems to have lost trade to the Macarthur Glen outlet across the railway..

I don't normally love post-war shopping centres but I love being in this one. It is very just that it should be named after Brunel. as the design emphasises the engineering of the building rather than hiding it under retail or architectural tat. Retailing may be in the gutter but the Brunel at least is looking at the stars and it has this view through its gracious curved roof of the David Murray John tower for good measure.

The red painted building is a branch of Revolution, a national chain of "vodka bars". It is spread over two floors, plus there is a "vodka terrace". Parties and the hosting of functions and events are the chain's speciality. It is typical of the new breed of large bars and pubs selling alcohol on the premises, which have sprung up in town centres across the country in the past decade. Swindon seems to have had an extra helping of them, as around this part of the town they completely dominate the retail scene, overflowing onto the pedestrianised area with tables and seats. It is perhaps no surprise that the much smaller traditional pubs find it difficult to compete against this. The Flag (formerly the Lamb & Flag) on the opposite side of the street, has now closed. It was probably here in Victorian times, and was the last traditional pub in the immediate vicinity.

Taken from a close approximation to this image from 1967 by Gordon Hatton http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/862397 the shop on the right, which was once Stead and Simpson is now Wilko. Bridge Street, leading away from the viewpoint, has been pedestrianised as has Fleet Street which is marked by the litter bin and the seating area. Out of shot to the left the building occupied by Burton's in the older image is now a pub. Frith's view http://www.francisfrith.com/swindon,wiltshire/photos/tram-centre-c1919_s254518/