It’s the Sheffield suburb where Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker grew up and even features in one of the band’s most beloved songs. These pictures show how Intake has changed from the 1870s
These nostalgic pictures show Intake down the years, from the early 20th century to the dawn of the 21st century.
Before the 19th century, Intake was mainly land used for agricultural purposes. It used to be a small farming settlement in the historic parish of Handsworth.
The Shire Brook which flows through the south-east, originally marked the boundary between Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
In the 20th century, many collieries were opened in the area, Birley Collieries and Dent Main Colliery, with coal mining being the main source of employment locally during the 19th and 20th century.
If you liked this – Read the story of: ‘The miners that time forgot: The haunting story of the 1876 Birley Mine Disaster’
It was in the 1930s that the area saw an increase in construction, likely due to the mining industry. This rapid expansion led to the village becoming a part of the city of Sheffield as a result.
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This retro photo gallery shows how the area has changed over the years, including many generations of school children, much-missed shops, and the old Rex Cinema that is much-missed by local moviegoers.
Among the streets pictured is Stanhope Road, famously referenced in the opening lines to Babies, which appeared on Pulp’s breakthrough album, His ‘n’ Hers.
Do these photos bring back any memories?


10. Woodthorpe Arms
The Woodthorpe Arms, on Mansfield Road, Intake, is pictured here at some time during the 1960s or 70s. It was suggested by Deborah Unwin Southwell as one of Sheffield's roughest pubs of yesteryear. Writing on the Lost Pubs of Sheffield Facebook group, one person said: "I heard the landlord had to hide upstairs on one night of violence. He just locked the door and left them to it." But another person wrote: "Used to be our pub of choice on a Sunday night, good disco and buzzing in the early 80s." | Picture Sheffield/Douglas Edward Axe/Brian Douglas Stevens


12. Seeing the flix at the Rex
The Rex Cinema, Intake, Sheffield, on August 15, 1975. The cinema opened on July 24, 1939 and closed on December 23, 1982. Do you miss the Rex?
