I really enjoyed reading this book and looking at the images that have been selected to tell and illustrate the story by the author, who with the words, images and photos, takes the reader on a trip to remember the High Street!

I am a massive fan of books of this nature, I enjoy look at the photos of the past and also reading about the social history and what the various towns and cities would have been like previously.

I loved that this was a look back at some of the famous names that we have had, and lost from the High Street. It is only when you start to read the book that you realise how many well-known and well established brands have disappeared over the years. It also charts the development of some of the brands that started off small that have now become large chains such as Tesco and M&S.

I do really enjoy books of this nature and I thought that this one was really good, it is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended and definitely an interesting read!!

Read the full review here

Donnas Book Blog

Initially the author plots the development of department stores and specialised chain stores then illustrates this by examining the East Yorkshire Town and port of Goole. The greater part, and the most interesting section, of the book is devoted to the history of the business behind high street famous names.

An interesting read.

Essex Family Historian

In this recessionary era, much is made of each economic up- and down-turn, particularly in the retail sector. This book provides a concise history of retail, from the earliest market trader to out-of-town shopping malls. Clear examples are given of changes to High Streets across the UK.

Who Do You Think You Are Magazine

A new book Remembering the High Street takes a nostalgic look at famous names where the British have shopped.

Ashford Herald

A must read – Remembering the High Street is a nostalgic look at how we used to shop. It takes us back to such British icons as Mac Fisheries, Freeman Hardy and Willis, Bile Bean and the more welcome Barker and Dobson sweets.

Yours Magazine

On every high street there used to be butcher, baker, grocer, greengrocer, draper, Boots, ironmonger, pub, W H Smith, cafe, bank, Freeman Hardy & Willis, jeweller, Marks and Spencer, furniture shop, hotel, secondhand bookseller, off-licence, haberdasher, Woolworth’s, confectioner, cobbler, tobacconist, electrical showroom, Burton’s, gas showroom, ladies’ fashions, Home and Colonial, and more, and maybe a department store or two.

You know what we mostly have now. A parade of pound shops, charity shops, building society branches, ladies’ hairdressers, kebab take-aways and shops boarded up.

So what has gone wrong - if it is wrong? The author answers this and many other important questions, such as who exactly was H Samuel, who was the Fifty Shilling Tailor and what the Dolly Sisters did to Mr Selfridge.

So, if you wondered where the yellow went, when you brushed your teeth with Pepsodent, wonder no more. It’s all in here.

Antiques Diary