TIME to return to Dorchester High Street from days of yore.

Last week we mentioned Raymond Gleed Watchmaker & Jeweller at No. 7 High East Street, Dorchester, which we previously missed out, due to lack of space, but here we have a photo of the shop, which was run by the parents of Linda Harris.

She tells us: "Behind the shop and Dad's workshop the building went back with two more rooms which had horizontal bars at the windows, which we always thought were strange, as it had been a fishmonger's. However, if there had been a watchmaker's there before, that might account for them. The garden was very long too, as was Mr Eastwell's next door. Dad planted fruit trees, but I think Channons bought a piece of the garden at a later date."

At number 7 High West Street in 1895 was James Spicer, Glass and China shop. Then “Ney” ladies fashions until 1967 when Fredrick L. Mabb gents outfitters took over the premises and still trades there now.

At 8 High West Street in 1895 was R.B.Brown, Marquees, tents and waterproof clothing.They moved [at date unknown, to London Road where they traded until the 1960s. In 1955 it was A Wiles, Confectioners and Tobacconists, then Clarks Chemist. In 1971/2 it was called Martins Chemist, then reverted to Tinegate Pharmacy. In 1982 it changed hands with the proprietor becoming Howard Fox. The Howard Fox Pharmacy eventually moved to Nappers Court. The Alliance Party temporarily occupied the premises as an ‘information centre’ for the General Election of May/June 1987. In 1988 this building was occupied by the Black Horse Agency [Lloyds Bank] then Alder King Estate Agents in 1993. Alder King became Ramsey and Ramsey Estate Agents in June 1999. Bradford and Bingley took over from Black Horse Agency and closed in March 2001. The present occupiers, Cafe Jagos, took over in November 2001.

At number 9 High West Street in 1895 were S. Allen, Drapers. In 1955, Halfords Cycle Shop. At one time, the shop of Lesley Frisby, photographer, then an optician, Arnolds, who became Batemans in October 1971, then Vision Express opticians who in February 2014 moved to South Street. The premises were empty until August 2016 when a food snack shop opened called Local Lunch Snacks and Sandwiches. In 2019 it became a Turkish Barbers called Ozan.

Number 10 High West Street was formerly part of Godwins China shop, which occupied part of Trinity Street. This firm started in about 1846, prior to that it was ‘Curme Ironmongers’.

No 10 High West Street is on the corner of Trinity Street and was part of its Georgian House, formerly being part of the Loyalty Theatre. It opened in February 1828 and remained open until 1843. Edmund Kean, the celebrated Shakespearean actor performed here. The cafe whih opened there in 1970 is named The Horse with the Red Umbrella, said to have been the last play staged here - however, no records can be found of a play of that name!

Moving on to number 11 and 12 - Genges Draper Store, which was where Ladbrokes bookmakers is now. The Genges building was demolished in the late 1920s and replaced with the present building. It was one of the largest shops in town. This shop started as Steele 1842-1880. Then George Dixon and Jameson to 1889, then Genge (or Genge and Co) as a department store. In 1975, the store became the Army and Navy Stores then later in that year it became Dingles. The store closed on in April 1988 and remained empty while building alterations took place.The redevelopment resulted in various smaller units with No 11/12 [ no 12 seems to have disappeared] being split from the remaining premises.In 1992, an Italian restaurant, Ciao, opened. This closed in 1999. Jakes Bistro and Patisserie opened in 1996 and closed in 2004. Ladbrokes Bookmakers took over the premises in March 2004 and is the present occupier.