Birmingham in 1974: 11 old pictures showing life for Brummies 50 years ago

Reporter

Published 3rd Aug 2024, 06:00 BST

Birmingham was a very different city in 1974 - from the music to the culture - we’re looking back at some old photos from the year to see how much has changed in 50 years

Today we’re travelling 50 years into Birmingham’s past to check out 11 old photos and see just how much the city has changed.

Birmingham remained by far Britain's most prosperous provincial city as late as the 1970s, with household incomes exceeding even those of London and the South East.

At the time, Noele Gordon was also a huge star in the Birmingham-based television show Crossroads.

Here are some photos showing what the city was like 50 years ago.

British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003), the MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 18th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1. British Labour politician Roy Jenkins

British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003), the MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 18th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

17th February 1974. In early February 1974 a mass picketing took place during a national miners' strike knows as the 'Battle of Saltley Gate'. (Photo by Hoare/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

2. Saltley Coke work

17th February 1974. In early February 1974 a mass picketing took place during a national miners' strike knows as the 'Battle of Saltley Gate'. (Photo by Hoare/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 27th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

3. British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003)

The MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 27th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. | Getty Images

Powell speaking at a 'Get Britain Out' rally and attacking the Prime Minister, Birmingham, England, February 23rd 1974.

4. Conservative MP Enoch Powell

Powell speaking at a 'Get Britain Out' rally and attacking the Prime Minister, Birmingham, England, February 23rd 1974. | Getty Images

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