Dunstable, Downside Estate c.1965
Photo ref: D69046
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Photo ref: D69046
Photo of Dunstable, Downside Estate c.1965

More about this scene

This photograph (and D69029) show the impact of 1960s development and the architectural mores that governed the town. The Downside Estate was built to cope with a population explosion and increasing affluence. The parade of shops shown here was added to the infrastructure when it became obvious that the existing retail function based on the High Street could not cope with demand and was too far away from the housing. There are signs in the picture of increases in car ownership. The route number 6 bus was owned by Luton Corporation Transport and ran from the Estate through to Luton Town Centre via Houghton Regis.

Memories of Dunstable, Downside Estate c1965

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Dunstable, Downside Estate c.1965

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I remember Downside Estate, Morecombe Road (I think it was Road) very well as one of my best friends Pauline lived there and we used to go down to The Greyhound pub, High Street South, on Saturday nights. She used to have some fun parties too. I haven't thought about those in years.
I also lived in Sundown Avenue from 1944 until 1964 when I married. I remember the area before the Downside Est., was built. It was all farm land and very lovely it was too. I certainly remember this scene very well as I spent a lot of time either running to catch the bus or running home again - didn't seem to walk much then!! My mother left Sundown Avenue in 1970, after my father died. They had lived there since ...see more
I used to live in Sundown Ave, just around the corner from these shops. My friend Michelle lived to the right of the bus. My Mum used to work in the sweet shop at the end of the parade to the right. There was a supermarket on the far left with a chemist next door. I remember buying my Mum some rather stinky Yardley perfume there for her birthday one year for about 1/6d I went to school at Downside CP ...see more