Bottle Lane, 1982.

On the extreme right is a former chapel, at this time renamed Omega House. The white building on the right is A C Gills of Warser Gate. A century ago, Adcock’s lace works and Starr’s plumbers would have provided employment here.

19 year old Paul Booth was just one of many independent fashion designers based on Fletcher Gate in the 80s. These workrooms were so busy you could feel the vibration from scores of sewing machines through the soles of your feet. The door to Paul's cutting room was adorned with a solitary 'BrandX' label. It was here in 1980, that singer Marc Almond sourced his stage wear.

Local set designer Huw Feather also played a major role in developing Almond's stage act and Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love' went on to become the biggest selling single of 1981.