To those of us a certain age, the Church Street Roundabout (linking Mile End Road which Commercial Road, Hope Street and Church Street) will ALWAYS be the ABC cinema. This is because we all still remember when the old ABC cinema was on the corner, so it was often used to give directions. Pictured: The ABC cinema in Commercial Road, in February 1986. The News PP1159placeholder image
To those of us a certain age, the Church Street Roundabout (linking Mile End Road which Commercial Road, Hope Street and Church Street) will ALWAYS be the ABC cinema. This is because we all still remember when the old ABC cinema was on the corner, so it was often used to give directions. Pictured: The ABC cinema in Commercial Road, in February 1986. The News PP1159

Things only people of a certain age will say or have done in Portsmouth as we miss much about our glorious city

By Kelly Brown

Editor

Published 14th Jul 2025, 17:03 GMT

The lost landmarks and the changing landscape of our glorious city can make many of us feel old.

And this is emphasised when you say something which really shows your age - like if you mention the ‘ABC Roundabout’, which no young person today will know what you are talking about. It was, after all, demolished in 2002!

There are so many examples of things Pompey residents say or have done which really does show our age. Here are just a few!

Hailed as an iconic focus of the new Gunwharf Quays which was built in place of HMS Vernon, the Spinnaker Tower originally went by another name. It was supposed to be called the Millennium Tower - but it wasn't ready in time for the year 2000. It was eventually opened on October 2005.

5. Those of us who remember what the Spinnaker Tower was supposed to be called

Hailed as an iconic focus of the new Gunwharf Quays which was built in place of HMS Vernon, the Spinnaker Tower originally went by another name. It was supposed to be called the Millennium Tower - but it wasn't ready in time for the year 2000. It was eventually opened on October 2005. | The News Photo: The News archive

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Opening in 1988, the Pyramids was a new and exciting place to go with family or friends and I would easily spend a large portion of the day there. Those flumes were just brilliant - and the fact it had a cafe inside was just brilliant. School children in the 80s and 90s enjoyed it in its heyday and were able to to take their own children there as well - mine included. Then came the devastating decision to close the pool, now run-down and making a loss, in 2020. It has now been replaced it with a soft play centre. I just wish I could remember which of these two slides was the fastest - I'm sure it was the green one.....

6. Knowing which is faster - the blue slide or the green slide at the Pyramids

Opening in 1988, the Pyramids was a new and exciting place to go with family or friends and I would easily spend a large portion of the day there. Those flumes were just brilliant - and the fact it had a cafe inside was just brilliant. School children in the 80s and 90s enjoyed it in its heyday and were able to to take their own children there as well - mine included. Then came the devastating decision to close the pool, now run-down and making a loss, in 2020. It has now been replaced it with a soft play centre. I just wish I could remember which of these two slides was the fastest - I'm sure it was the green one..... Photo: The News

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Those 'zigzags' along Southsea Promenade are slowly disappearing as more and more areas receive (much-needed) new sea defences. But many generations whizzed along the different sections - far further and longer than you now can today. But today's youngsters are set to be the last ones to do it as they continue to disappear. Picture: Trev Harman

7. Running up and down the zigzags in Southsea

Those 'zigzags' along Southsea Promenade are slowly disappearing as more and more areas receive (much-needed) new sea defences. But many generations whizzed along the different sections - far further and longer than you now can today. But today's youngsters are set to be the last ones to do it as they continue to disappear. Picture: Trev Harman Photo: Trev Harman

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We can't help it, but many of us of a certain age still lament the loss of the food court in the Cascades. It was a hub of activity which sadly these days has not been recreated.

8. Still lament the loss of the Cascades Food Court

We can't help it, but many of us of a certain age still lament the loss of the food court in the Cascades. It was a hub of activity which sadly these days has not been recreated. Photo: -

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