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.

The new Pacer train waiting to travel to Preston from Burnley Central Station. This photograph was taken shortly before the second line was removed in 1986. Burnley Central Station was built in 1849 as part of an infrastructure project that connected Burnley to Bury via rail. Between 1871 and 1944 it was known as Bank Top Station. In the 1960's the routes to Liverpool, Manchester and later Skipton were lost, thus making it a station on a dead end branch line, which affected the station quite badly. During this period the station was redeveloped and the original Victorian buildings were demolished.

5. Burnley 1980s

The new Pacer train waiting to travel to Preston from Burnley Central Station. This photograph was taken shortly before the second line was removed in 1986. Burnley Central Station was built in 1849 as part of an infrastructure project that connected Burnley to Bury via rail. Between 1871 and 1944 it was known as Bank Top Station. In the 1960's the routes to Liverpool, Manchester and later Skipton were lost, thus making it a station on a dead end branch line, which affected the station quite badly. During this period the station was redeveloped and the original Victorian buildings were demolished. | LCC

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Manchester Road Railway Station, taken shortly after re-opening to the public in October 1986 on the Leeds-Preston line.

6. Burnley 1980s

Manchester Road Railway Station, taken shortly after re-opening to the public in October 1986 on the Leeds-Preston line. | LCC

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A photograph of Manchester Road Railway Station taken shortly after it re-opened to the public in October 1986 on the Leeds-Preston Line. The picture was taken looking down the platform towards the tunnel under Manchester Road where the train emerges on it's journey to Preston.

7. Burnley 1980s

A photograph of Manchester Road Railway Station taken shortly after it re-opened to the public in October 1986 on the Leeds-Preston Line. The picture was taken looking down the platform towards the tunnel under Manchester Road where the train emerges on it's journey to Preston. | LCC

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Barnaby Fudge. A local tobacconists, confectioners and newsagents located on Parker Lane.

8. Burnley 1980s

Barnaby Fudge. A local tobacconists, confectioners and newsagents located on Parker Lane. | LCC

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