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Striking images of Birmingham’s slums and how they were transformed beyond recognition _2 .hh

admin March 11, 2025

Historical pictures from the archives show Birmingham looking unrecognisable

hese striking images offer a glimpse into Birmingham’s past and show the harsh reality of communities living in slum housing.

Decades ago a significant population of people in the city were living in slums and often life was hard and short. Photographs documented here show how much change has taken place on the streets after the demol ition of the slums, following slum clearance campaigns.

The Industrial Revolution of the previous century had firmly established Birmingham as a powerhouse, and it was a leading light in commerce, education and engineering. For those left behind though, trapped in hastily-built Revolution-era slum housing, they might as well have lived in an entirely different world.

Wenman Street, Balsall Heath. 20th May 1973.(Image: Mirrorpix)7 of 26
Slum housing in Birmingham.(Image: Mirrorpix)8 of 26
Birmingham. 25th July 1970.(Image: Mirrorpix)9 of 26
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Sparkbrook Roy Hattersley visits slum housing in Birmingham. 25th July 1970.(Image: Mirrorpix)10 of 26
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Sparkbrook Roy Hattersley visits slum housing in Birmingham. 25th July 1970.
1. Residents of Alison Street outside their properties.
2. Mrs Alice Swanton aged 70 sits in her decaying terrace house in George Place, Ladywood, accompanied by stray cats of the area. April 1968.
  
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3. A resident walking down the only access point to Granville Street in Ladywood, Birmingham.
  October 1965.
4. Mrs Ellen Walker of Lennox Street showing councillor Doris Fisher where she has to cook, wash and bath. October 1965.
5. Children play amongst the wreckage and shattered houses in the terrace at the back of 64 Anderton Street in Ladywood. June 1967.