Pit closures affected the districts in the 1990s and early 2000s, despite the prominent miners' strike of 1984-85, which saw thousands of miners go on strike to save their collieries and jobs. The strike was a response to the National Coal Board's (NCB) plan to close 20 collieries, which the NCB claimed were unprofitable. Pictured: Clipstone colliery was then closed in 1993, but was reopened a year later by RJB mining, this picture shows miners returning to work. It remained opened for a further nine years before eventually closing permanently in 2003. Other collieries across Mansfield and Ashfield have a deep-rooted history.placeholder image
Pit closures affected the districts in the 1990s and early 2000s, despite the prominent miners' strike of 1984-85, which saw thousands of miners go on strike to save their collieries and jobs. The strike was a response to the National Coal Board's (NCB) plan to close 20 collieries, which the NCB claimed were unprofitable. Pictured: Clipstone colliery was then closed in 1993, but was reopened a year later by RJB mining, this picture shows miners returning to work. It remained opened for a further nine years before eventually closing permanently in 2003. Other collieries across Mansfield and Ashfield have a deep-rooted history.

Mansfield and Ashfield retro: 25 past losses, including coal mines, lidos and cinemas

By Phoebe Cox
Published 16th Oct 2024, 14:53 BST
Updated 1st Apr 2025, 14:50 BST

Life has changed significantly over the past few decades, with many elements of the past no longer existing. From the closure of significant landmarks to the collapse of major brands, here are some key aspects of Mansfield and Ashfield’s history that have disappeared.

We had lidos for the summer months, popular clothing and household brands, iconic cinemas and stages, coal mines that powered the country, and thriving factories – all no longer exist.

Here is an extensive list of 25 places and things that no longer exist in the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

Can you think of any others?

Mansfield’s Metal Box was a huge employer for the town for well over a century, creating metal tins for all manner of things such as Quality Street chocolate and well-known whiskey brands. The Metal Box building was an imposing part of Mansfield's landscape until it closed in 2010 and was demolished in 2011. All that remains now is the clock tower.

5. Metal Box

Mansfield’s Metal Box was a huge employer for the town for well over a century, creating metal tins for all manner of things such as Quality Street chocolate and well-known whiskey brands. The Metal Box building was an imposing part of Mansfield's landscape until it closed in 2010 and was demolished in 2011. All that remains now is the clock tower. Photo: Chad

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Blockbusters were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. There was a Blockbuster video store on Highfield Way in Mansfield and one on Outram Street in Sutton. Do you remember these?

6. Blockbusters

Blockbusters were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. There was a Blockbuster video store on Highfield Way in Mansfield and one on Outram Street in Sutton. Do you remember these? Photo: Charles Round

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Woolworths Group plc entered administration on 27 January 2009, and it was officially dissolved on 13 October 2015. The collapse of Woolworths was a symbol of the credit crunch and financial turmoil in the United Kingdom at the end of 2008. Pictured: Staff mop out the Mansfield Woolworth store after it flooded in 1971.

7. Woolworth

Woolworths Group plc entered administration on 27 January 2009, and it was officially dissolved on 13 October 2015. The collapse of Woolworths was a symbol of the credit crunch and financial turmoil in the United Kingdom at the end of 2008. Pictured: Staff mop out the Mansfield Woolworth store after it flooded in 1971. Photo: National World

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Yes, it still snows, but it seems like we don't get the heavy snowfall as we did in previous decades. This photo is from 1990.

8. Heavy snow days

Yes, it still snows, but it seems like we don't get the heavy snowfall as we did in previous decades. This photo is from 1990. Photo: Chad

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