13 picture memories of Blackpool RHO Hills department store in Bank Hey Street

By Claire Lark

Published 24th Aug 2023, 11:00 BST

Updated 25th Aug 2023, 10:44 BST

Blackpool's flagship department store for many decades was RHO Hills which first opened as a novelty bazaar in Bank Hey Street, 1884.

It suffered two major fires, one in 1932 when the store was full of customers and staff and the second, in 1967, a blaze took hold in the early hours of the morning reducing the building to a smoking ruin. These pictures rewind the clock to the fires as well as the departments inside – including the knitting department and silver service cafe.

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21 pictures to take you back to Blackpool in 1967

RHO Hills Fire: 12 dramatic photos capturing the blaze which devastated Blackpool's favourite department store

A superb shot of the scene when the flames were at their height in 1932

1. RHO Hills - the memories

A superb shot of the scene when the flames were at their height in 1932 Photo: Submit

RHO Hills exterior in the early 1960s showing Lockharts Cafe

2. RHO Hills - the memories

RHO Hills exterior in the early 1960s showing Lockharts Cafe Photo: Submit

RHO Hills knitwear department was on the first floor

3. RHO Hills - the memories

RHO Hills knitwear department was on the first floor Photo: Submit

Dampening the ground after the fire at RHO Hills in 1932

4. RHO Hills - the memories

Dampening the ground after the fire at RHO Hills in 1932 Photo: Submit

Firefighters damp down the embers the morning after the blaze destroyed the store

5. RHO Hills - the memories

Firefighters damp down the embers the morning after the blaze destroyed the store Photo: National World

This was the fourth floor silver service restaurant

6. RHO Hills - the memories

This was the fourth floor silver service restaurant Photo: Submit