Aylesbury in the 1980's

[colinjm]

Did Aylesbury have an old shopping centre in the 1980's, thats was all made of concrete?

I was a kid in the 80's, and lived just outside Aylesbury. I have memories of going to a stty old shopping centre that was outside, but covered, and had a big Wimpey restaurant in the middle of it.

Was this real, or am I remembering something completely different?

[Mc Lovin]

still there isnt it, just its classed as actual Aylesbury rather than a shopping center

[BERGS2]

Edited by BERGS2 on Wednesday 12th November 16:22

[Sixpackpert]

Yep it was there, the old Friars Square. Absolute st hole. The Woolworths had a concrete duck outside it IIRC.

The Council Offices that are joined to it and are also the worst concrete thing I have ever seen are now listed FFS!

Was born in Aylesbury, grew up in North Marston, moved to Weedon (the one about 2 miles out of Aylesbury) and left there about 4 years ago.

Now I live in the Cotswolds and had forgotten all about Aylesbury until now!.

ETA: The Council Offices in all their 'splendour'

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:24

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:30

[bob1179]

Lancaster had the same sort of thing back in the days when you could buy an Sierra XR4i and Duran Duran ruled the charts...

It was an eyesore and had the local council offices on the top of it. The whole lot was demolished in about 1990 and replaced with a much nicer shopping arcade.

I think this sort of concrete council construction was quite prevelant in the late 1950's and early 60's. It really is a true shame for Lancaster as there is little left of the 'old town', all the ginnels and alleyways with the hidden squares and yards were destroyed.

Damn shame.

[andy400]

Funny coincidence, just last night I was thinking about a concrete square thingy with shops around it, just off the walls in Chester, where I grew up. I reall liked the place, partially because of the shops there, partially because of memories of hanging around there (in a good, wholesome and non-yobby kind of way) with friends. I guess it was ugly though, and it was torn down to make way for a slightly more attractive building some years ago.

I may have dreamed it though, as I can't find any reference or photographs.........

[colinjm]

Sixpackpert said:

Now I live in the Cotswolds and had forgotten all about Aylesbury until now!.

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:24

Sorry

I remember the duck now. God it was st wasnt it. I'm glad my mind isnt just imagining crappy places though.

Havent been to Aylesbury for about 8-10 years, but it was crap then, so I guess not much has changed.

[illmonkey]

Not much has changed, still not the best place to go.

Shopping centres the same too. Unfortunately its one of the closer towns to me

[Sixpackpert]

colinjm said:

Sixpackpert said:

Now I live in the Cotswolds and had forgotten all about Aylesbury until now!.

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:24

Sorry

I remember the duck now. God it was st wasnt it. I'm glad my mind isnt just imagining crappy places though.

Havent been to Aylesbury for about 8-10 years, but it was crap then, so I guess not much has changed.

I went for a night out there last year with some old friends. I can confirm it is st.

However Gi-Gi's Kebab shop is still the best in the area!

[Sciroccology]

Sixpackpert said:

I used to work there.

[illmonkey]

Sciroccology said:

Sixpackpert said:

I used to work there.

I'm sorry.

[Sixpackpert]

illmonkey said:

Not much has changed, still not the best place to go.

Shopping centres the same too.

Not the same as the 80's one though. The new Friars Square is lighter, covered and less 'concretey'.

Still st though!

[illmonkey]

Sixpackpert said:

illmonkey said:

Not much has changed, still not the best place to go.

Shopping centres the same too.

Not the same as the 80's one though. The new Friars Square is lighter, covered and less 'concretey'.

Still st though!

was a wee nipper back then so wont remember.

But let me get this straight, you are saying it was worse than it is now? How so!

[colinjm]

Sixpackpert said:

ETA: The Council Offices in all their 'splendour'

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:24

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:30

Isnt that the roundabout with that blue glass wonky building on. It's all coming back now...what have I done.

edited to add this blue glass wonky building picture.

Edited by colinjm on Wednesday 12th November 16:38

[Sciroccology]

illmonkey said:

Sciroccology said:

Sixpackpert said:

I used to work there.

I'm sorry.

It's OK. I was mainly in the less-modern building just over the road (the one with the mysterious basement) but spent a fair bit of time in that carbuncle. It was as ugly on the inside as it was on the outside. And that was just the council employees.

[FourWheelDrift]

colinjm said:

Did Aylesbury have an old shopping centre in the 1980's, thats was all made of concrete?

I was a kid in the 80's, and lived just outside Aylesbury. I have memories of going to a stty old shopping centre that was outside, but covered, and had a big Wimpey restaurant in the middle of it.

Was this real, or am I remembering something completely different?

Yes, with a map board with buttons you pressed to light up the different places.

It's all been covered now and rebuilt into a proper shopping centre and a lot better. Last there about 6 years ago.

[Sixpackpert]

colinjm said:

Sixpackpert said:

ETA: The Council Offices in all their 'splendour'

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:24

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:30

Isnt that the roundabout with that blue glass wonky building on. It's all coming back now...what have I done.

edited to add this blue glass wonky building picture.

Edited by colinjm on Wednesday 12th November 16:38

Went for an interview at Equitable Life (blue leany) when I left Aylesbury Grammar. They did an academy type thing and took a set number of students a year.

I got down to the last few and it was between me and this bird that went to the High School. She had a phenomenal rack and a stunningly beautiful face, can't believe I didn't get the job!

Edited by Sixpackpert on Wednesday 12th November 16:52

[anonymous-user]

Friars Club in the late 70s and early 80s was great on Fridays/Saturdays. So may fantastic bands started their careers and played there - Pistols, Genesis, Ultravox, Stranglers, The Clash ... the list goes on! Train from Gt Missenden almost every week - fabulous times

Read all about it

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 12th November 17:02

[Sixpackpert]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

About 1994.


Wears a G you say...

[968CSReading]

FourWheelDrift said:

colinjm said:

Did Aylesbury have an old shopping centre in the 1980's, thats was all made of concrete?

I was a kid in the 80's, and lived just outside Aylesbury. I have memories of going to a stty old shopping centre that was outside, but covered, and had a big Wimpey restaurant in the middle of it.

Was this real, or am I remembering something completely different?

Yes, with a map board with buttons you pressed to light up the different places.

It's all been covered now and rebuilt into a proper shopping centre and a lot better. Last there about 6 years ago.

LOL, I remember that. Just before the steps to the underground market which had an excellent joke store. Anyone remember the Ducks and Turkeys outside Woolworths which you could climb on and always smelt of piss.

I was born and bred in Aylesbury (going back this weekend for a Curry) and it always amazes me how st it was and still is