Shoppers on Exchange Street, Sheffield, in January 1978placeholder image
Shoppers on Exchange Street, Sheffield, in January 1978 | Sheffield Newspapers

Pulp Tramlines: 27 retro photos taking you back to 1978 - the year Pulp was born

Britpop legends Pulp are returning home tonight to perform in the city where the much-loved band was formed.

Jarvis Cocker was still at school in Sheffield in 1978 when he formed the band whose witty anthems celebrating everyday life in all its glory would eventually earn them critical acclaim and commercial success.

But he had to wait a while, with Pulp’s line-up going through several iterations, before hitting the big time in the 1990s - first with His 'n' Hers and then Different Class, which led to an unforgettable night at Glastonbury.

Ahead of their Tramlines performance tonight, we’ve turned back the clock nearly five decades to show what the Steel City was like back then and how things have changed since then.

This retro photo gallery will bring back memories for anyone who was around then of the shops, pubs, leisure facilities and more that have been lost over the years.

The pictures show many things you can no longer do in Sheffield, like taking the plunge at Sheaf Valley Baths, visiting Sheaf Market, browsing the shelves at Woolworths and boating at Crookes Valley Park.

Fargate is bustling, High Street is thronged with participants in the popular Star Walk, and demolition is underway at a once popular pub after last orders were called.

A royal visit, a new stand at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium and a legendary manager at Sheffield Wednesday are among the other scenes captured in these arresting images from nearly 50 years ago.

Do they bring back any memories for you of the late 70s in Sheffield?

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