We asked members of Facebook group We grew up in Southampton which lost landmarks they miss the most.
Members were keen to let others know exactly which building from the past they have a particular fondness for.
Below are 11 landmarks members would love to be able to expereince once again:
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1. Top Rank
It was Southampton’s most unique entertainment venue and ballroom.
With roller discos, skating and even a revolving stage – Top Rank had it all.
Even big names performed sets there such as Jimmy Tarbuck and Roy Castle.
The venue changed name to The Mayfair towards the end of its life and shut its doors for the last time in 1988.
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2. The Aviary
The aviary was originally located in Andrews’ Park near Upper Prospect Place before moving to the north-west corner of the park in 1934.
Despite protests from the city’s residents, the popular attraction was demolished in 1993.
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3. Rose Garden
Many Southampton people will remember with affection the rose garden and fountain that once stood in front of the Civic Centre.
The garden was first laid out in 1934 and boasted twenty-two beds of roses along with sixteen trees of various species.
The garden was demolished in the late 1980s to make way for a new road system to help with the increase in traffic in and out of the city.
The fountain was re-located outside the Art Gallery entrance.
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4. Royal Pier
Southampton’s wooden Royal Pier was built in 1832 and opened by Princess Victoria in 1833.
The structure would often need repairing and was consequently replaced by a cast iron pier in the 1890s.
The pavilion along with much of the pier was destroyed by a fire in 1987.
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5. Southampton Central Baths
The £500,000 Southampton Central Baths were opened on March 24, 1962, when more than 1,000 keen swimmers and guests were in attendance to see then-mayor, Alderman Gladys Barker, perform the cutting.
By 1987 the baths were losing money and underwent a major revamp and rebranding - Centre 2000 was born.
The complex was demolished and The Quays were opened in 1999.
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6. Ice Rink
Southampton Ice Rink was built next to Bannister Stadium and first opened in 1931.
The 3,000 capacity venue burnt down in 1940 after bit hit during a German air raid and a new Sportsdrome opened in 1952.
The venue closed in 1988, shortly after a refurbishment largely done by members of the community.
The site is now housing.
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7. The Dell
Home to the Saints for 103 years, The Dell was a bijou venue for top flight football.
Originally it could hold 24,000 spectators and the West Stand, when later reconstructed, was designed by renowned architect Archibald Leitch.
The record attendance at the ground was over 33,000 for Mick Channon’s testimonial in 1976, but through the 80s and 90s, redevelopment restricted the capacity to just 15,200 by 1995.
Saints left The Dell for St Mary’s in 2001 and new homes and flats were built on the site.
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8. Bargate Shopping Centre
Opened in 1989, the Bargate Shopping Centre was named after Southampton's prominent Bargate landmark located nearby.
Crowds once flocked to play games at Sega World, have a ShakeAway or visit one of the many other retailers that called it home.
Facing fierce competition from Westquay and Marlands, Bargate Shopping Centre soon emptied of both shoppers and businesses.
Although all shops had been vacated by mid-April 2013, demolition work didn't begin on the centre until November 24, 2017.
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9. Boating lake at Sports Centre
The boating lake has been a feature of Southampton Sports Centre since it opened in 1938.
Although still present, the lake is very different to the popular family attraction it once was with boats for all to enjoy.
A lack of maintenance and growing restoration costs led to health and safety concerns and its use as a boating lake came to an end.
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10. Hants and Dorset bus station
Southampton's bus station was opened on January 23, 1933 by Sir Reginald Ford and was located on Civic Centre Road and West Marlands Terrace.
The bus station was closed in 1987 and the site is now occupied by the Marlands shopping centre.
Many Southampton residents have fond memories of grabbing a Plested pie while waiting for the bus.
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11. Polygon Hotel
For many years, this was seen by many as the place to stay in Southampton.
The original attempts to build the luxurious hotel failed when the money ran out in 1773.
The final hotel to stand on the site was built in the 1930s.
Famous names such as Muhammad Ali and comedians Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise all stayed at the hotel.
It was vacated in 1997 and demolished two years later to make way for flats which currently sit on the site.
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