The 1970s was another decade of huge change in Romford, with new roads being built and big brand names hitting the high street.
This week, we are travelling back to this time of transformation through vintage photos that capture the town.
The newly built Gallows Corner Flyover, Romford's earliest Chinese and Indian restaurants and a marching band are just some of the highlights.
Vintage photos of Romford in the 1970s
Gallows Corner Flyover, Romford - 1971
The Gallows Corner flyover was built to solve traffic problems, officially opening on March 26, 1970 after years of delays and public pressure.
It cost £340,000 and was made from pre-cast steel, originally meant to be temporary, according to Havering Libraries.
This photos shows the new flyover from Eastern Avenue, with The Plough on the far left and the Romford Motor Company on the other side of the roundabout.
Market Place, Romford - 1976
This photograph shows a sea cadet marching band, possibly Romford Sea Cadets, with Downtown Records at 36 Market Place in the background.
Downtown Records, which opened around 1971/2, was a key outlet for Romford's music scene until its closure in the mid to late 1980s, say Havering Libraries.
Next to it are Parnell’s hairdressers and Thompson’s fishmongers, while the historic King's Head pub stands boarded up.
South Street, Romford - c.1977
This photograph shows South Street in around 1977 or 1978, looking north from the junction with Western Road.
Shops such as David Phillips (Jewellers) Ltd and Harlequin, which sold cassettes, cartridges and records, can be seen, as well as the entrance to Romford Shopping Centre, which later would become the Liberty Shopping Centre.
Havering Libraries said the street was likely pedestrianised after the first stage of the ring road was opened in May 1970.
Market Place, Romford - c. 1977
This photograph dating back to late 1976 or 1977 shows Market Place, including Debenhams - which originally opened as Stone's in March 1963 and changed its name in 1973.
The store was a key part of the area's shopping landscape, located near other notable businesses like Habitat and Littlewoods.
The surrounding buildings, such as the boarded-up King's Head and Downtown Records, reflect Romford's changing commercial scene during that time.
Victoria Road, Romford - c.1978
This 1978 photograph highlights two of Romford's earliest international restaurants: India Garden, one of the town’s first Indian restaurants, and Wong Do, Romford’s earliest recorded Chinese restaurant.
Both are just visible in the far left of the photo.
India Garden remains an Indian restaurant today under the name Asia Spice, while Wong Do, originally called The Rice Bowl in 1964, went through several name changes before becoming the Moon House, which closed in 2020.
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