What used to be....

Example 1

Debenhams, Market Hill, Luton

The row of shops which occupied the same site as the Debenhams department store does today. As you can see, original architecture such as the frontage of 'The Plough' pub has been lost forever underneath a bland 1970's design.

Example 2

A view of the current day site of RBS, with The Red Lion pub to the left, behind the tree.

An older view of what the above scene used to look like. You can clearly make out the bottom floor windows of the pub to the left on both pictures.

Example 3

The Mall / Arndale Extension

The Carnegie Library - despite this library becoming too small for purpose and Luton's requirements for a library, surely there is no excuse for the demolition of such an attractive building which played an integral part of Luton life for well over 50 years? Today, it could have been used as a bar, restaurant, offices or even converted to flats. Instead, we are left with a 'redevelopment' of The Mall / The Arndale (see photo of present site just above), when itself will no doubt need another renovation in 25 years when it is deemed out of date, dull, dreary and depressing.

Example 4

Park Square, Luton

Some of the buildings to the left thankfully survived the wrecking ball during the 1960's / 1970's and can be seen in the above photograph from the present day.

Example 5

Charter House, St Georges' Square, Luton

The Old Luton News building. Similar to the Carnegie Library, it too had been deemed to small for continued use with the expanding Luton News requiring larger premises. However, was it really necessary to replace it with Charter House? Surely once again, another purpose could have been found for another building which played such an important part of the town's history? You can clearly see the end of the building to the left in both pictures.

Example 6

Site of the old bus station, demolished in 2008 and now being used as an attractive surface level car park.  In the background, the replacement for the multi-story car park which used to reside over the bus station can clearly be seen nearing completion. The building of this car park is the first stage in the redevelopment of Luton' station quarter, a project which will hopefully give Luton a station that is fit for purpose and improve the immediate surroundings, especially vital considering the current first impressions of the town for visitors arriving by rail consists of a urine stained walkway and a pot holed road.

Luton Bute Street Station - The first station in Luton. Built by  the Luton, Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway Company before being taken over by the Great Northern, who operated it until its closure in 1965. It was later demolished. The above photograph shows the condition and use of its former site. You can see the direct contrasting style of the 1960s rebuild of Midland Luton station in the background.

Example 7

Cresta House, Luton. Situated just across the road from the above mentioned Charter House.

Backside of Cresta House, showing the aforementioned Charter House as well.

The old Cresta Ballroom and before that, The Alma Theatre used to be located on the same site.

Nothing like destroying a bit of theatre and a bit of culture and replacing it with a 1960's tower block, eh? 

Example 8

View of Market Hill, Luton

Market Hill, Luton with the old Corn Exchange towering down over proceedings. Many other towns have kept their old Corn Exchanges with them being utilised for various other uses. Some are now bars and restaurants, others are art galleries whilst others house indoor markets or shopping arcades. Why did Luton feel the need to be different?

Example 9

Mill Street, Luton. The present day photograph listed below (and taken from Google Street View) is roughly of the location of the former Theatre which used to reside on this street. Sadly, the Theatre closed to be replaced by a bingo hall which itself was destroyed by a fire in the 1980's.

Example 10


At the top of King Street, where the third building from the right is in the photograph below, King Street Congregational Church used to reside. Unfortunately, its spire was in need of repair and it wasn't deemed cost effective to rectify its problems. With the benefit of hindsight, it now seems a short sighted idea.

Additional Links

For further reading, please visit the excellent The Luton I Remember facebook group, which has an additional 600+ photographs.

Alternatively, you can also visit the equally excellent Luton Then and Now facebook group, which offers direct comparisons between present day Luton and the past.