1964 demolition work allowed for doubling of county town's market place

It is now 55 years since this photograph was taken showing major demolition work in the heart of Melton Mowbray town centre.

The building being reduced to rubble in this 1964 photo from our archive was called Barnes Block, which was a mixture of homes and shops.

The drastic demolition work was to allow for the doubling of the size of the town’s Market Place, with the aim of creating an improved shopping area for local residents.

At the time the photo was taken, there seemed to be a general air of change in the offing with premises on the right of the photograph nearest the camera also looking as if they are vacant.

These buildings are still standing today and have more recently been the home of Dorothy Perkins, Wise Guys Menswear and Boots Opticians.

The Boots Chemist shop on the left in the 1964 photo has more recently been a sweet shop.