Derby has grown from a mediaeval market town to become a centre of industry. Derby was one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution as following the cotton and silk mills built in the 18th century, it became home to railway engineering following the arrival of the railways in the 19th century as well as other engineering industries. Latterly it is also famous for production of Rolls-Royce cars and aero engines. In the last 100 years much manufacturing has moved away and although the city is still associated with engineering, the face of Derby has changed significantly through housing clearance pre- and post-World War, the building of new residential areas and retail centres, a new ring road which saw the loss of some familiar landmarks and new bridges across the River Derwent.
Lost Derby presents a portrait of a city and a way of life that has radically changed or disappeared today, showing not just the industries and buildings that have gone, people and street scenes, but also many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Derby will appeal to all those who live in the city or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.