Since the 1970's Bilston Street has changed almost beyond recognition. Much of the western end of the street disappeared under the new police station and the ring road development. Sainsbury's supermarket now occupies the old St. George's graveyard and much of the northern side of the street lies under the new dual carriageway. Bilston Street was the focal point for the local community. It had many small shops which catered for everyday needs and also several public houses. The town's cattle market was there, as was the hub of the local authority's transport system. Most of the buildings were nothing special, although the street did include a couple of good Georgian houses. Bilston Street has hardly been mentioned in any of the books of old photographs of the town and its character is rapidly being forgotten. Hopefully these photographs will re-kindle old memories and pass on what was there to a younger generation. Most of the photographs were taken in the 1970's, a little while before demolition started. If anyone has any other photographs that we can add or any memories of the street, please contact the webmasters.

The walk starts at the junction of Bilston Street and Market Street, alongside what is now the new police headquarters and ends at the junction of Bilston Street, Bilston Road and Steelhouse Lane.

The Clifton Cinema during demolition in 1981. It was built in 1863 as a theatre and during its lifetime has seen many changes. It began life as the Prince of Wales and later became the Star, and then the Hippodrome. It was also known locally as the 'Blood Tub' because many of the plays at the time featured a murder. When the original Theatre Royal, which was on the site of the Central Library closed, the Hippodrome became the New Theatre Royal.

In 1913 the theatre was badly damaged by fire and then subsequently rebuilt. It was converted to a cinema in 1931 and became the Clifton. The cinema closed in February 1966 and the following month re-opened as a bingo club, which finally closed in 1978. The building was demolished to make way for the new police headquarters.

This view from the Hertz Carsales car park is looking towards the junction of Piper's Row and Walsall Street. The building opposite was the premises of John Ireland which was demolished to make way for the new police headquarters.

The junction of Walsall Street and Bilston Street in the early 1970's.

This fine Georgian house was on the corner of Walsall Street and Bilston Street.

St. Georges's church from Bilston Street. This is now the site of Sainsbury's supermarket.

Some of the many shops that were an important feature of the street.

The shop on the left was a junk shop in its later years. All kinds of old electrical and electronic bits and pieces were sold.

This photograph was taken from the corner of Market Avenue and shows the premises of A.G. Tarver Ltd.

A.G. Tarver Ltd had two adjacent shops, the one on the left and the one in the photograph above. In the centre is Collings Supplies Ltd.

On the right, at the corner of Market Avenue is the Crown and Cushion public house. On the opposite side of the road is the premises of A.G. Tarver Ltd and Collings Supplies Ltd.

Another view of the Crown and Cushion.

Looking back along the route so far covered. All of the buildings in the photograph are on the site of the modern ring road roundabout.

Frederick H. Burgess Limited were on the northern side of the street next to the cattle market. They were farm machinery suppliers.

The view looking towards the old Cleveland Road bus depot. On the left is the Red Cow and on the right the Bull's Head.

The Red Cow was a Mitchells & Butlers public house.

The Bull's Head, which was also a Mitchells & Butlers public house was on the corner of Transport Road.

On the left is the back of the Cleveland Road Depot of the Corporation Tramways Department. It was built in 1901 in readiness for the electric trams which were in operation the following year.

Another public house on the corner of Bath Street was Banks's True Briton.

Opposite is Middle Cross Street. The building on the left with the sloping television aerial is the premises of Martin Erskine, Television aerials and repairs. The shop on the corner is the Classic Shoe Repair Specialists.

The shop with the sunblinds is Woottons Stores which sold grocery. On the front is an advert for Priory Tea.

Behind the street lamp is BA Textiles and on the corner of Sharrocks Street is W. E. S. Wolverhampton Limited who are Electrical Wholesalers. The company was previously in Bell Street and are stockists and wholesale suppliers of everything electrical.

The view looking back to W.E.S. showing some of the many small shops that were such a feature here.

Opposite is the Bilston Street Post Office & Savings Bank and  F. Davies gents hairdresser.

The substantial building in the centre was the Horse & Jockey public house.

The walk ends opposite the premises of E.J. Nicholls Limited, timber and tool merchants. The company specialised in joinery, doors and decorative plastics, and moved to Stafford Road, Fordhouses.