GOULDS department store in Dorchester is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year and here are a selection of images taken through the years.

As you can see, the shop has moved with the times, but it is lovely to see the old fashions – both in clothing and how the store presented itself to the public – in past decades.

The first shop was in High East Street and sold drapery and haberdashery. It was opened by Harold and Florence Gould who voiced their plans in the Dorset County Chronicle in April 1902 thus: “HJ Gould begs to inform the inhabitants of Dorchester and District that he will be opening the premises, lately occupied by HR Hayman and Son with a well selected stock of General and Fancy Drapery and hopes by strict and careful attention to Business, to secure a share of patronage and support. “The Company built its business on a reputation for personal service and value for money, philosophies the current Directors still hold dear.”

From these small beginnings, Goulds has grown to include the ladies and gents’ fashion house in South Street, a homeware outlet further down the street and a thriving garden centre at Preston near Weymouth.

And in keeping with modern trends, a healthy percentage of Goulds’ trade is also carried out on the internet.

Company director Chris Gould said: “The fourth generation of the Goulds family is now involved in the day to day running of the business, and that is made even more special because we know we are serving the fourth and fifth generation of our customers.”

Roger Gould, deputy chairman of the company and the grandson of the original founder, added: “We have never been frightened of change. As a business we have always tried to adapt to what our customers want and how they want to shop. “In 1902 we received hand written orders from our customers that we wrapped and sent out to the villages with horse-drawn carriers. Today we receive orders overnight by the internet and send them by mail.

“There is always a sense that we can’t stand still.”