A LOT has changed in this photograph taken in around 1975. It shows the Friarsgate GP surgery in the centre right and the bus station. The doctors’ surgery has been swept away to make way in the short term for a ‘pop-up’ park. In the longer term the area will be redeveloped in the Silver Hill, also known as the Central Winchester Regeneration, and for a short time as Saxongate.

Also in the photo is the bus station dating from the 1930s (top centre left), with the jagged roof line of the depot building, which was knocked down around ten years ago to create more space.

The station itself is likely too to be removed for the redevelopment being overseen by the Jigsaw Consortium. Coitbury House (top centre right) is also likely to go. The former NHS office is currently being let as accommodation for public service workers.

Some buildings have little changed including St John’s almshouses in the bottom left of the photo. The council housing in the right of the picture is also unchanged. At the time of the photo the homes were relatively new, having replaced the brewery in Eastgate Street.

Another difference to today is that the roads, especially Friarsgate are almost free of traffic. Perhaps the photo was taken on a Sunday.