A look back at days gone by in Orford Street, Norwich

From thriving pubs and bars to one of the biggest department stores of our city, the area has seen many changes over the years.

Orford Place did not exist until the trams were launched in 1900 and it became the central transport hub for Norwich. 

During the Second World War, bombing left it wasted until the rebuilding of the Curls Department store – which later became Debenhams.

The Orford Cellar, which is now Nandos in Red Lion Street, was the centre of the Norwich music world during the 1960s and saw performances from Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream and David Bowie.

READ MORE: Photos of Rampant Horse Street in Norwich through the ages

Orford Place in Norwich, date unknown (Image: Newsquest)Barclays Bank office in Orford Place, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)Debenhams fire drill in Norwich, in 1973 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Blitz aftermath in Orford Place in 1942 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Blitz aftermath in Orford Place in 1942 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Orford Place in 1960 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Orford Place in 1954 (Image: Newsquest)Looking towards Piltch in Orford Place in 1992 (Image: Newsquest)Looking towards The Orford Arms in Orford Place in 1957 (Image: Newsquest)Littlewoods in Orford Place in 1984 (Image: Newsquest)The new Curls store on Orford Place, Norwich, February 1955 (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Blitz aftermath in Orford Place in 1942 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich’s Orford Place in 1992 (Image: Newsquest)