10 black and white photos of the Arndale shopping centre from the past

Senior Reporter

Published 16th Sep 2026, 15:00 GMT

The Arndale shopping centre opening in July 1976 - The Princess Margaret attended the official opening.

The shopping centre we now know as The Frenchgate has been around since the 70s.

Originally build by the Arndale Group, construction began in the late 60s.

We have found some amazing retro images of the shopping centre when it was first being built and when it first opened.

If you have memories of those times we would love to hear them!

A view of The Arndale Centre's South Hall, Doncaster, June 1985

Our picture shows John Collier tailors with building work on the Doncaster Arndale Centre in the background.

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