It was 1932 - a time marked by the Great Depression, mass unemployment and widespread hardship.
But the doom and gloom wasn't universal. In popular culture, Hollywood was on the rise with new stars such as John Wayne, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby and Jean Harlow emerging. (Indeed, Newcastle’s Odeon cinema - the finest picture hall in the region - had opened a year earlier in 1931 and many more would soon follow across the North East). In football, Newcastle United won the FA Cup for the third time, beating Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. And shopping was on the rise with a host of major new stores opening in Newcastle city centre.
Despite the prevailing economic difficulties, Northumberland Street saw Marks & Spencer, British Home Stores, and C&A all unveil new outlets in 1932, while just across the city on Newgate Street the Co-op opened a huge department store in the same year.
