29 striking photos showing how Cabot Circus and Broadmead have changed through the years

By Adriana Amor

Published 19th Sep 2024, 11:36 BST

These 29 striking photos show how Cabot Circus and Broadmead have changed throughout the years.

The area has changed a lot in the past decades from the construction of Lewis’ (now Primark) in the the 50s to the opening of Cabot Circus in 2008.

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And more changes are expected.

Multiple businesses have closed down in Cabot Circus have closed down this year, but we are also expecting new ones to open, including the return of Marks & Spencer.

Scroll through to see how Cabot Circus and Broadmead have changed.

Depicted on horseback, in the courtyard in front of Wesley's New Room (Chapel), Bristol, Avon. John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. The chapel was established by Wesley in 1739 as the first Methodist meeting room in the world. This photograph shows the statue shortly after it was erected in 1932.

1. Wesley's New Room - 1933.

Depicted on horseback, in the courtyard in front of Wesley's New Room (Chapel), Bristol, Avon. John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. The chapel was established by Wesley in 1739 as the first Methodist meeting room in the world. This photograph shows the statue shortly after it was erected in 1932. | English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Lewis’ (later Primark) and Jones and Co (later Debenhams) had not been built yet.

2. Horsefair to St James Barton- 1953

Lewis’ (later Primark) and Jones and Co (later Debenhams) had not been built yet. | Bristol Archives

The road around the site of the future Lewis’ (now Primark) is boarded as work begins on the structure of the department store.

3. Lewis’ construction - 1954

The road around the site of the future Lewis’ (now Primark) is boarded as work begins on the structure of the department store. | Bristol Archives

4. Lewis’ (now Primark) being built - 1953

Bristol Archives

Marks & Spencer Bristol Primark

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