How much did things cost in 1956?
These are some prices of a few items in 1956.
| 1956 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Gallon of petrol | 5s 4d | £4.80 |
| Pint of beer (bottled) [*] | 2s | £1.8 |
| Espresso in a coffee bar | 7d to 1s 3d[1] | 53p to £1.10 |
| 20 cigarettes [*] | 3s 10d | £3.50 |
| Loaf of bread (white, unwrapped) [*] | 10½d | 79p |
| Loose leaf tea [*] 4oz | 1s 7½d | £1.50 |
| Sugar 1lb [*] | 8d | 60p |
| Pint of milk [*] | 7d | 53p |
| Butter ½lb [*] | 1s 10½d | £1.70 |
| Cheddar cheese 1lb [*] | 3s 2d | £2.90 |
| Margarine 1lb [*] | 1s 9d | £1.60 |
| Lard 1lb [*] | 1s 6½d | £1.40 |
| Eggs 1 dozen [*] | 3s | £2.70 |
| Potatoes lb [*] | 2½d | 19p |
| Cabbages lb [*] | 4d | 30p |
| Onions lb [*] | 6d | 45p |
| Eating apples lb [*] | 1s | 90p |
| Oranges lb [*] | 1s ½d | 94p |
| Ground coffee 8oz [*] | 4s 2d | £3.80 |
| Cocoa lb [*] | 4s 6d | £4.00 |
| Coal - 1cwt [*] | 7s ½d | £6.30 |
| Bush TV56 17"television | 80 guineas | £1,500 |
| Bush DAC 90 radio | £16 10s | £300 |
| Pam 710 transistor radio (Britain's first transistor radio) [2] | £31 10s | £570 |
| Qualcast Powered Panther lawn mower | £25 15s 9d | £ |
| The Daily Mirror newspaper | 2d | 15p |
| Average house price | £2,003 | £36,000 |
| Ford Anglia car | £541 | £9,700 |
| Electrolux refrigerator | 58 guineas | £1,100 |
| Hoover washing machine | £47 16s | £860 |
| Invincible Popular vacuum cleaner | £21 10s 3d | £390 |
Prices are in pounds, shillings and pence.
Some shops priced more expensive items in guineas. A guinea is one pound and one shilling or £1.05.
The inflation adjusted prices are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
By Steven Braggs, December 2021
References
[1] 'Coffee comes to town', published in The Manchester Guardian 6 April 1956, page 13
[2] 'Radio! Radio!', third edition by Jonathan Hill, published by Sunrise Press, page 288
Add your comments
Add Comment
Insert Bullet List
Please enter at least one item.
Item:
Item:
Item:
Item:
Item:
Insert Numeric List
Please enter at least one item.
Item:
Item:
Item:
Item:
Item:
Insert Link
Please enter the link of the website
Optionally you can add display text
Insert Email
Please enter the email address
Optionally add any display text
Insert Image
Please enter the link of the image
Insert YouTube Video
Please enter the link of the video
Comments