THE horse and cattle fairs that once graced Rutherglen Main Street were still within living memory when this photograph was taken, in May 1967. As the Glasgow Herald pointed out, in a survey of Lanarkshire, the fairs were held in “the broad and tree-lined Main Street ... until the beginning of this century”.
The survey, noting Rutherglen’s status as one of Scotland’s oldest royal burghs, said the burgh had been experiencing benefits and problems alike from its proximity to Glasgow.
The proximity helped to cushion Rutherglen from unemployment, while road and rail links with the docks had helped to attract a range of modern industries.
Coal-mining and shipbuilding had ceased, and a large chemical works was shortly to close, but paint, machinery, upholstery and furniture were all now being made in the town.
On the other hand, because the burgh was sandwiched between Glasgow and industrial Lanarkshire, “it has no room for further expansion -- and the last patch of undeveloped land will soon be built up”.
The town council was hoping that future housebuilding would take place in an extensive central redevelopment. “Already”, the Herald added, “they have approved in principle a consultant’s plan to re-cast ... Main Street ... as a series of linked shopping squares with adjoining houses”.
Read more: Herald Diary
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