The mammoth, Brutalist Shopping City precinct at Runcorn has undergone many increasingly desperate image changes since its opening in 1972; attempts to stem a decline in popularity and prosperity. Behind the scenes, though, some things haven’t changed at all. The backstage flights of steps that link floors have remained virtually unmodified for more than 50 years. Their functional, metal rails and crumbling concrete have seen thousands of shops, businesses and customers rise and fall, the style and optimism of the 70s die a slow death. Their style has stayed exactly the same.
The building is raised on columns, partly to allow the segregation of cars, buses and pedestrians on three different levels. Vehicles arrive at ground level, giving access to the four multi-storey car parks on each corner for customers and to the shop basements for deliveries. Pedestrians arrive at the shopping level using elevated walkways from neighbouring estates. At one time, there were escalators but these are long gone. Only the steps remain like style relics from 1972.
Jon Kenna .com 