The magic of the high street back in its heyday was that it was a place where shoppers would linger and exchange pleasantries with shopkeepers in the stores they visited.
Today we bring you our final batch of photos of shopping in bygone days.
One particular shop features heavily in this collection - James Foot in Dorchester.
The corn merchants had a real presence in the county town.
James Foot first appeared in the 1895 Kelly's directory as a corn merchant and miller at 36 South Street and Lower Burton mill. By 1907 the business was described as an 'army, navy and government contractor; corn, seed, oilcake, hay, straw and forage merchant and haulier, 25 South Street and stores, Maumbury Road; and miller, Burton mills and Charminster mills'
In 1927 the business appeared as a limited company, and also acted as a coal and manure merchant, nurseryman and seedsman.
James Foot, far end of the Corn Market, Dorchester
James Foot transport fleet outside the warehouse opposite where the Market Cafe is now in Dorchester. Traces of their name still exists on the wall.
Also of interest in our stroll down high streets of the past is J.T. Godwin in Dorchester. This was a glass and china shop on the corner of Trinity Street and High West Street.
J.T. Godwin, 10 High West Street, Dorchester
Provision merchants R.W. Keech, Dorchester
Corner of Long Street and Duck Street, Cerne Abbas
Easton, Portland Picture: Harry Green
Herbert Lane, general grocer in Bradford Peverell, 1920
High Street, Shaftesbury, 1960s
Septimus, Blandford
Shop at Bedchester, near Fontmell Magna
Stalbridge
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