Colourful Life of London in the 1970s

The 1970s were a period of intense political and cultural change, particularly when the three day week was introduced to tackle energy shortages caused by industrial action in the coal industry.

The collection shows how iconic parts of the capital such as Soho’s Carnaby Street – shown lined with independent shops and clothing rails – have been transformed.

As well as capturing cultural movements such as punk, they also reveal another side to London.

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London buses beneath the advertising hoardings at the famous interchange Piccadilly Circus. (Picture: Getty)
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Punks in the West End in 1977. (Picture: Rex)
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A laundrette in Kensington in 1974. (Picture: Rex)
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Carnaby Street in 1978. (Picture: Rex)
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Pictures being advertised for development for 5p in 1976. (Picture: Rex)
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Two women looking at dresses in ‘Stop the Shop’ in Chelsea in 1971. (Picture: Rex)
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Punks draw stares in 1976. (Picture: Rex)
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Cheapside in 1970. (Picture: Rex)
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There was no escaping pigeons in Trafalgar Square, even in 1970. (Picture: Rex)
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A businessman walks past an Evening Standard billboard as he leaves Bank tube station in 1972. (Picture; Rex)
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A Harvest Festival at St Martin-in-the-Fields in around 1970. (Photo By RDImages/Epics/Getty Images)

via London Evening Standard

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