CONTINUING our shops of yesteryear series, today we're taking a look at how shops have changed in one of Weymouth's main shopping streets St Mary Street.

Sylvia and Dennis Mould with the help of their friend Ruth Boffey have used the Kelly's Directory of Weymouth and Portland to chart how the shops have changed over the years.

So we're turning back the clock to 1974 and taking a stroll down St Mary Street to see what it was like then.

It is fascinating to see just how many independent retailers there were back in the early 1970s and the sheer range of shops marked the town out as a real shopping destination. Some names are still familiar today, but many of these names have sadly been consigned to the history books.

At 2 St Mary Street was Barclays Bank, which is still there in the same building today. Other mainstays are the Black Dog Hotel at no. 3 and a little further along, Marks &Spencer which is also still in the same building.

Some might remember Clegg the chemist at 1 St Mary Street, which by 1974, had become Bastow chemists.

At 8A and 8B, shoe lovers could get their fill at Dolcis boots and shoes and True Form boots and shoes.

F.W. Woolworth was a big shop stretching from no. 10 to no. 14, while at no. 15 there was Bennetts in 1972 which had become Debenhams children's outfitters in 1974.

Moving along the street, there as Lovells creameries Ltd Dairy Shop at no. 16 and Giftcraft fancy goods at no. 17. At 17a you could visit Bollom Lttd dyers and dry cleaners while at 19, in 1974, there was Peter Robinson Ladies Fashions, which, in 1972 was called Heming and Tudor costumiers.

No. 22 changed over the course of a couple of years - in 1972 it was Honeydew greengrocer and had become Minn's (Bournemouth) Ltd musical instruments by 1974.

Sadly losing popularity these days, but going strong back in 1974 was Mac Fisheries (wholesale and retail ltd), a nationwide chain of fishmongers - it was at 25 St Mary Street.

Next door at no. 26 was Radio Rentals and next door was John Collier the tailor, where you could choose from various bales of cloth to have a bespoke suit made.

Further down at no. 41 in 1974 was the magically named Grannies Delight Ltd, a children's outfitters, this store took over the premises once occupied by Minns (Bournemouth) in 1972.

At no. 47 was Tracys (Southampton) house furnishers, which had become Granmoda outfitters in 1974.

At no. 84 and 85 St Mary Street in 1972 was V H Bennet ladies outfitters which had become Debenhams ladies outfitters by 1974, It is also thought there was a shop called Vincent the Jewellers on the corner with Middle Bond Street - a high class jewellers with a window full of silver.

At no. 94, perhaps some of you will remember Burts Restaurant, which was owned by a Mr Schumacher and also sold cakes, bakery products and chocolate.

At no. 101 in 1974 was Bateman opthalmic opticians, at no. 102 was Dorothy Perkins while at 104A and 104B was A. Jones and Sons (exclusive shoe makers).

Edwin Jones department store was in the Clinton Arcade and this was absorbed into the Debenhams chain.

At 106A was W.H. Smith and Sons Ltd, booksellers.

Just off Lower Bond Street at St John's Court was J Crowson watchmakers and camera sales and service, while at 10 St Alban's Street was C.E.E.CO Wools. owned by Mrs C. Oakford and her sister. The name C.E.E.CO came from their initials.

Sylvia and Dennis tell us: "Two of our daughters worked there as Saturday girls. Mrs Oakford was very strict and no-one was allowed to be addressed by their Christian name, only as Miss/Mrs.

"They had to work out of prices totalled up on a piece of paper, not the cash register. Though strict, Mrs Oakford always treated her staff to a Christmas meal at The Sea Cow Bistro, 7 Custom House Quay, an expensive venue.

"Before owning this shop we think that Mrs Oakford and her sister worked at Braileys."

We're rally enjoying our trip back through shopping history. If you have some memories of shops you used to love from years gone by, get in touch.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830973

e: joanna.davis

@dorsetecho.co.uk

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