Brierley Hill, Merry Hill, Pensnett & Woodside in the West Midlands, UK c1985 but maybe early 1990s.

The world is currently in lock-down and so I decided to share some photos that I found years ago that were being thrown out.
This video presents random views only; I have no idea why the photographs were taken in this way...don't expect an in-depth documentary! Selected "highlights" are the Merry Hill Shopping Centre under construction along with the Monorail and the old Robin R 'N' B Club. One mainly for local people who may appreciate it.

[@bullyinspace]

I was fostered right opposite this complex. Amazing to see how it was when I was first fostered there back in 1980s and 90s. Moved away in 1995

[@person4402]

I was born in '96 but everything looked so much nicer and more tranquil back then.

[@esmereldac]

These are fantastic, thanks for posting. Lovely to see pics of Merry Hill and the area as it was.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

You're most welcome. I'm glad that you found them of interest.

[@Bad-wolfe]

I lived in Pensnett from the age of 4 and worked for a number of years as a bus driver for Merry Hill so know all these areas really well. Have now lived in South Yorkshire for the last 8 years and would never want to live back in this area again to be honest

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Thank you for taking the time to comment and I'm pleased that it brought back some memories. Yes, I can understand why you wouldn't want to move back to the area now from South Yorkshire!

[@TheDazDanks]

I remember as a kid when they were just starting construction on Merry Hill. I was in the car with my dad and we could see it was flooded from heavy rain and we both said how much it will suck for those companies working there. Look what it became!

[@jackroom1261]

Wow some great pictures thank you for sharing

[@YoungManGoneWest]

You're very welcome.

[@mezchadry]

Amazing. All my childhood memories when bhill was a much nicer place

[@monteceitomoocher]

Used to work in old hill, old and familiar Territory, seems a lifetime ago.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Thank you for your comment and pleased to hear that these brought back a few memories.

[@stevesouthall4718]

me too first job when i left school 1970 bsr

[@anunusualironiccircumstanc2246]

Looked more cleaner back then compared to today.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Definitely....but that goes for so many places nowadays 🙄

[@Ben_3113]

Many thanks 🙂

[@YoungManGoneWest]

You're welcome 😊

[@kieranbaker9334]

This is great!

[@YoungManGoneWest]

That's very kind of you to say so....thank you!

[@greg_289]

Muppet Treasure Island movie showing at UCI cinemas came out in 1996.

[@eddy_creative]

Wow didn't realise Link 51 had been there so long

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Thank you for your comment. I found an envelope of photos during Lockdown 1, which someone had marked 1985. There have been a few folk who have pointed out that some of the photos must have been taken a liitle later...perhaps some a tad before. In retrospect, I shouldn't have dated the video as "in 1985" but please don't shoot the messenger!

[@markgenner1747]

The West Midlands Had A History Years In The Black Country.

[@mrslavinator1057]

Wow

[@christophersidaway]

These were really interesting. Do you know what year the junction was changed at the top of Thorns Road? And have you got any more?

[@YoungManGoneWest]

I'm pleased that you like this. I'm afraid though that I don't have any more photos from that batch. Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question.

[@jasonwilletts559]

The road widening scheme commenced 1994, was finished by early '95

[@khalidabaji7761]

Nice city. uk dudley

[@jasonwilletts559]

Most of the photo's are 1995 or '96

[@Mattsavage69]

The monorail. We were sold a pig in a poke. See the Simpsons episode. I bet the Scandinavian’s were really happy with it…..

[@Word_is_out]

Absolutely not 1985 for the merry hill pics as they are building Infront of Verne's Food Fair next to Lloyds Bank, Verne's shut in the late 90s and they built TK Max on the carpark Infront of it.

[@marshalerts4148]

No way is this 85

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Thank you for your comment. I found an envelope of photos during Lockdown 1 on which someone had marked "1985". Did you have a date range in mind?

[@marshalerts4148]

Well I did notice a mk3 golf .and a few other early 90s car models. Plus I know merry hill wasn't fully built in 85 .in one of the photos there are cranes working on the existing building. I'm guessing that was 87.

[@AlisonBryen]

UCI cinema!

[@markgenner1747]

Good Times In The 90s.

[@Word_is_out]

I worked at UCI 😊

[@jaykaye7025]

Is this all from 1985?

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Thank you for your comment. I found an envelope of photos during Lockdown 1, which someone had marked 1985. There have been a few folk who have pointed out that some of the photos must have been taken a liitle later...perhaps some a tad before. In retrospect, I shouldn't have dated the video as "in 1985" but please don't shoot the messenger!

[@louisebastock5558]

1995? Mk3 astra, mk3 golf, smiley face transits.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

The photos came in a folder dated 1985. The shots of Merry Hill with cranes around must have been around 1985 because the final phase of the centre was completed in 1989. Perhaps some of the other photos are later though...no idea about the cars.

[@RaVeR076]

@@YoungManGoneWest the monorail only started bein built in i think 1990. Being a monorail fanatic, aaahhh im not complaining, love nostalgia

[@craigcotter7476]

@@YoungManGoneWest in the photo with the uci billboard (with cranes in the background) it has the films: primal fear(?), executive decision, mr Hollands opus, muppet treasure island and from dusk til dawn on there, all films released in uk in spring 1996. Plus the cinema was not there in 1985 nor was the monorail. The cinema opened in late 1988, the monorail opened in 1991 and shut in 1996. The cranes may have something to do with retiring the monorail - who knows. In december 1985 (when merry hill began trading) only 3 stores were open: MFI, Atlantis electrical and Harris Queensway (all located at the top where home sense is). The rest of Merry hill in 1985 was merely a concrete and girder skeleton, certainly not thriving like these pictures. Louise is indeed accurate with her estimation.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

​@@RaVeR076 I can only apologise. As I think I've said elsewhere here, I just came across a batch of photos in a folder dated 1985. I must have picked them up in a charity shop or somewhere as they're not mine. The folder must have been wrongly dated by the looks, clearly with some 1990s ones!

[@YoungManGoneWest]

@@craigcotter7476 I can only apologise. As I think I've said elsewhere here, I just came across a batch of photos in a folder dated 1985. I must have picked them up in a charity shop or somewhere as they're not mine. The folder must have been wrongly dated by the looks, clearly with some 1990s ones!

[@mimicmimic5931]

35 years later and its all exactly the same...

[@YoungManGoneWest]

Not "exactly", otherwise there would still be a monorail & the Robin 😔 but there are some similarities.

[@thescrutineer7022]

Thanks for uploading.

[@YoungManGoneWest]

You're very welcome. I'm glad that you like this.