A photograph showing the front of the Sparrow Hawk Hotel in 1980 on the corner of Church Street and Ormerod Road, with the Talbot Inn in the foreground. The Sparrowhawk was part of the original town centre of Burnley, known as the top o' the town. This area, located opposite the parish church of St. Peters, including the original Sparrowhawk, was knocked down and replaced by the newer buildings seen in the picture in 1896.placeholder image
A photograph showing the front of the Sparrow Hawk Hotel in 1980 on the corner of Church Street and Ormerod Road, with the Talbot Inn in the foreground. The Sparrowhawk was part of the original town centre of Burnley, known as the top o' the town. This area, located opposite the parish church of St. Peters, including the original Sparrowhawk, was knocked down and replaced by the newer buildings seen in the picture in 1896. | LCC

Burnley in the 1980s: More nostalgic photographs of life in the town

By John Deehan
Published 26th Oct 2026, 14:36 GMT

A fascinating glimpse into the town's past.

We're taking another trip down memory lane with a fresh selection of photographs showing Burnley in the 1980s.

Following on from our previous gallery, we've delved back into the archives to uncover more images of the town as it looked more than 40 years ago.

The photographs come courtesy of Lancashire County Council's Red Rose Collections, a fascinating archive documenting the county's past.

Princess Diana at Rosegrove station during a Royal visit to Burnley in 1986.

1. Burnley 1980s

Princess Diana at Rosegrove station during a Royal visit to Burnley in 1986. | LCC

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Local school children await the arrival of the Royal visitors (Prince Charles and Princess Diana) outside Whitaker & Clegg Builders' Merchants in 1986, later it became Burnley Building Supplies on Hammerton Street.

2. Burnley 1980s

Local school children await the arrival of the Royal visitors (Prince Charles and Princess Diana) outside Whitaker & Clegg Builders' Merchants in 1986, later it became Burnley Building Supplies on Hammerton Street. | LCC

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Princes Charles exits a canal boat onto the tow path whilst flanked by dignitaries, opposite are the cottages in the Weaver's Triangle.

3. Burnley 1980s

Princes Charles exits a canal boat onto the tow path whilst flanked by dignitaries, opposite are the cottages in the Weaver's Triangle. | LCC

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Holy Trinity was erected in 1835-36 on Accrington Road. However, due to large re-developments in the area surrounding the M65, church attendances dwindled and it closed in 1989. The parish of Holy Trinity amalgamated with that of St. Matthews. The church was later converted in to flats.

4. Burnley 1980s

Holy Trinity was erected in 1835-36 on Accrington Road. However, due to large re-developments in the area surrounding the M65, church attendances dwindled and it closed in 1989. The parish of Holy Trinity amalgamated with that of St. Matthews. The church was later converted in to flats. | LCC

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