Wonderful Photos of Christmas Shop Fronts in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields in the 1960s

This wonderfully nostalgic collection of images from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums documents the festive spirit of Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields in the 1960s.

The street scenes of Christmas decorations, festivities, events and shoppers are not unlike those we see in the city centre today, despite their incredibly retro style!

The photographs were taken by local amateur photographer Robert Sanderson, of South Shields, whilst Christmas shopping with his wife. Because of this they give a very sentimental and intimate view of a 1960s Christmas in the region.

'Bainbridge, a century of service' This is a photograph of the decorated Christmas window of Bainbridge's in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1962.

A Bainbridge's gift display. This is a photograph of a Christmas display in Bainbridge's department store, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1966.

A Fenwick display. Taken in Fenwick department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, this is a festive Christmas display. It was taken in 1965.

Allen's department store. This is a night view of the Christmas display at Allens department store. It was taken in 1962.

Allen's festive windows. This is a photograph of the illuminated windows of Allens department sore in South Shields. It was taken in 1963.

Bainbridge's festive windows This shows the illuminated window of Bainbridge's Department store, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1963.

Binns festive windows This photograph shows the festive window of Binns department store in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a 35mm slide. It was taken in 1963.

Broadloom Mills, Grey Street. This photograph shows the window of the Broadloom Mills shop in Newcastle upon Tyne, Grey Street. It was taken in 1963.

Broadloom Mill Shops festive windows. This is a festive window of the Broadloom Mill shop in Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1962.

Broadloom Mill Shops festive windows. This is a festive window of the Broadloom Mill shop in Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1962.

Children's fashion at Binns. This is a children's Christmas display at Binns department store, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1963.

The poultry store This is a photograph of a worker at a poultry store in the Grainger Market in Newcastle upon Tyne. Christmas Turkeys can be seen. It was taken in 1965.

Christmas Spirit This festive display at Fenwick department store shows a variety of drinks and spirits. It was taken in 1965.

Father Christmas. This photograph shows Santas Grotto in the Fenwick department store in Newcastle upon Tyne. Children and their parents wait to meet Father Christmas. It was taken in 1962.

Fenwick, for all your Christmas presents. This photograph shows the display in Fenwicks department store in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1962.

Fenwick christmas lights. This is a photograph of the festive lights of Fenwick department store in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1964.

Fruit and Vegetables. Pictured is a Fruit and Veg display, taken at the Grainger Market in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1965.

Gifts for Men. This is a men's gift display in Binns department store, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1966.

Gifts from Saville Row. This is a photograph of the gift display in a ladies fashion shop on Saville Row, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1966.

Glassburg's festive windows. This photograph shows the illuminated Christmas window of Glassburgs shop in Fowler Street, South Shields.

Santa comes to Fenwick. This photograph shows children as they meet Father Christmas in Santas Grotto, Fenwick department store. It was taken in 1962.

Scalextric. A Scalextric racing kit is displayed in Fenwick Toy department at Christmas time. This is a 35mm slide. It was taken in 1962.

The Binns department store window. This is a night time view of Binns department store Christmas window in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1965.

The Electricity Shop. This is a photograph of the illuminated and festive window of the Electricity shop in King Street, South Shields. It was taken in 1963.

The Nativity. This is a photograph of the illuminated, wall mounted Nativity scene in Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1966.

The poultry store. This is a photograph of Christmas Turkeys at the Grainger Market in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1965.

Waring and Gillow. This is the window of Waring and Gillow, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was taken in 1963.

Woods store. This is the decorated Christmas window of the Woods store in South Shields. This is a 35mm slide. It was taken in 1962.

(Photos by Robert Sanderson/Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, via Chronicle Live)