Black box demolition: the final stages

Date published: 28 September 2014

The final stage of the demolition of the black box is about to commence, very soon the building will be no more and all that will remain is rubble.

The former major town centre landmark was loved by a few but hated by many.

Construction of the Black Box and the adjoining bus station, designed by architects Essex, Goodman & Suggit, was started in October 1975, completed in April 1978 and officially opened in May 1978 - the offices were ready for use the following year.

Those of a certain age will remember that when it opened, within the footprint there was also a pub, The Travellers Rest, SaverSales and Information offices, a café, dry cleaners, clothing shop and a newsagents. Escalators linked the concourse with the town centre, via a footbridge from the car park. Access to the buses was at street level or via subways, avoided as often as possible by wary pedestrians!