Towering view of the parade

The photographer has used the vantage point of the Westgate Towers to capture what must be the entire length of a carnival parade at some time during the late 1940s.

The picture on the left looks west along St Dunstan’s Street, and captures various decorated floats moving towards the camera.

Dense crowds can be seen lining the street on both sides, while some have taken advantage of the small parapet atop the antique shop on the left (Cafe des Amis today).

Further along the street, to the right, petrol pumps can just be seen on the Hallett’s corner site adjacent to the Station Road West junction. This former bomb site would be developed by the same proprietor in the 1950s.

The photo on the right looks east along St Peter’s Street, where the crowds are equally as impressive. Note the bomb damaged Barrett’s site on the left, including the truncated remains of its 1938 showroom building. This would be demolished in the late 1970s, when Barrett’s was finally able to redevelop its site following the cancellation of the ring road third stage.

On the right, nearest the camera is the former Corner House Cafe – by then an electricity showroom. Next to it is another white rendered building, occupied by chemist FG Cornfoot.

Both buildings would be demolished in the early 1960s in preparation for the aforementioned ring road, which ultimately never arrived in this area.

Out of sight, to the right, is the St Peter’s Place bus station, which would later relocate to St George’s Lane in the mid 1950s.