Have a conversation with any young person in the UK these days, and you’ll quickly realise that the job landscape has changed significantly. Sure, new jobs are appearing that seem pretty lucrative, but the older jobs that we used to rely on are dying out. To show you what we mean, here are some once-lucrative jobs in Great Britain that are now becoming a thing of the past.
Milkmen
It pains us to say it, but we can’t remember the last time we saw the milkman. Once the cheerful faces of the early morning, milkmen are now rare sights in Britain’s streets, with the daily clink of glass bottles giving way to supermarket aisles and bulk buying. Yes, doorstep deliveries still exist in some places, but they’re more of a niche service than the thriving job they used to be.
Coal Miners
We must say that we’re not particularly sad to report this one; coal once powered everything, but cleaner energy sources are making this profession a thing of the past. Mines have closed across the UK, leaving behind stories of hard work and camaraderie. While some areas preserve the history of mining, the profession itself is becoming a shadow of its former self, and that’s probably for the best.
Postmasters
Not so long ago, the local post office was the heartbeat of every British village, but now, with online shopping and digital communication, these community hubs are closing their doors. Postmasters, who once knew everyone in the neighborhood, are seeing their jobs slip away as post offices shut or shrink in size, which is pretty sad to see.
Travel Agents
Nowadays, it’s so easy to book a holiday online through various marketplaces, but things weren’t always this way. Planning holidays used to involve sitting down with a travel agent and leafing through glossy brochures, but that’s long gone, as any trip is just a few clicks away. We can see both sides, as we do miss the excitement of visiting the travel agent, but online bookings are definitely a lot more convenient.
Typists
In British offices of yesteryear, the clickety-clack of typewriters was the soundtrack of productivity. Not anymore, though, and not for a long time. Now, we have computers and voice recognition software that takes over this role, often autonomously, so if you can even still find a job in this career path, it certainly won’t be very lucrative.
Bank Tellers
It’s pretty rare to have to visit the bank these days, as we handle all of our finances online through our smartphones. For the most part, we prefer the modern alternative, but we do miss talking to the bank tellers. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to deal with your bank’s automated system, so we wish we could give our time to bank tellers instead.
Telephone Operators
You used to be able to make decent money being a telephone operator, a time long before automated systems and direct dialling. Best of all, there was something delightful about hearing their soothing voices and encyclopaedic knowledge of phone codes, but these days, all of this has been replaced by digital systems. In fact, we rarely make phone calls at all now!
Metre Readers
Knocking on doors to read gas and electricity metres used to be a regular job for many in the UK, and it paid pretty well. Now, though, smart metres send readings directly to suppliers, making metre readers almost obsolete. While a few still work in areas without digital upgrades, their days are most definitely numbered.
Projectionists
Cinema projectionists were the hidden experts behind every film showing a few decades ago, threading reels of film and ensuring smooth playback. It seemed like a pretty fun and well-paid job, but digital projectors have changed all that, requiring far less skill and human intervention.
Bookbinders
Before mass production, bookbinding was an art form requiring intricate skills; these craftspeople gave books their unique finishes and got paid dearly for it. While a handful of artisans still work in this field, modern printing methods have turned bookbinding into a rarity rather than a thriving trade.
Door-to-Door Salespeople
Another lucrative job that is now becoming a thing of the past is door-to-door sales. Come on, though–surely we can all agree that life is more peaceful without it? We used to dread hearing that knock at the door from a salesperson persistently trying to sell us Tupperware, even after we firmly told them that we were not interested.
Station Masters
At one time, the station master was a respected figure in every British train station, ensuring everything ran smoothly. That’s no longer the case, though, as automation, self-service machines, and staff cuts have eroded this role almost completely, leaving most stations to operate without a human face to guide travellers.
Watchmakers
Back in the day, jobs didn’t get much more admirable (and lucrative) than being a watchmaker. They’d craft and repair watches with astonishing precision, blending mechanics and artistry beautifully. Unfortunately, mass production and disposable fashion have long since changed the way we think about timepieces, with most people simply using their phones instead of wristwatches.
Printers
In many parts of the UK, the printing press was once a cornerstone of industry and communication, making it a stable and well-paid career path. Skilled printers were responsible for producing everything, including newspapers, posters, and many more formats. Now, though, digital technology has made printing cheaper and easier, which is partially a lot more convenient but also very sad.
Fishermen
Fishing definitely hasn’t disappeared entirely in the UK, but it’s no longer the booming industry it once was. Strict quotas, environmental concerns, and competition from large-scale operations have drastically reduced the number of small-scale fishermen in the UK. Sadly, most households simply get their fish from supermarket chains rather than visiting the local fishmonger.
Textile Workers
Just like with the printing industry, the UK’s textile sector was once world-famous, employing millions. However, cheaper production overseas and automation have reduced this workforce to a huge degree, with towns that were once hubs of textile production now telling stories of a past golden age. There’s no going back now, but that doesn’t mean we’re not sad to see it.
Handymen
You’ve probably still got the phone number of a handyman in your contacts list, but they’re nowhere near as prominent as they once were. Once the go-to fixers for household repairs, larger companies and specialist trades have now taken over. It’s not too late to change that, though–give your handyman a call next time you have a problem, and we bet it will be cheaper, quicker, and less hassle.
Photo Developers
Last but not least on our list of once-lucrative jobs that are now disappearing is photo developers. Can you even remember the last time you headed to a darkroom to get your photos developed? It was once an art in itself, but after digital cameras came along, these establishments started to vanish. Now, we all have incredibly high-quality cameras built into our smartphones, so we can’t really envision a Great Britain where photo development ever becomes a well-paid career again.
