The 1980s and 90s was a time of change for small, local shops. Today's archive pictures reveal their mixed fortunes at a time when the community shop was becoming something of an endangered species.
1. Tivetshall Community Shop had just won first prize in the Norfolk Ventures Competition in October, 1982. The shop had been open for two years and was staffed entirely by volunteers. In our picture Mrs Christine Thompson (right) serves Mrs Kathy Adcock.
2. Parkinson's stores in the picturesque village of East Harling took a bow in the EDP of late November, 1989. Personal service was one of the hallmarks of the village's shopping experience.
3. Threeways Post Office in Taverham had expanded in the three years up to 1991 to include a supermarket, bakery and newsagent. Mrs Susan Evans serves a customer in the bakery in late July, 1991.
4. Dybles garage shop in Ormesby, pictured in February, 1991, stocked a vast array of car accessories but also light refreshments, hot snacks groceries and other goods.
5. Shopping was still in the traditional style as Margaret Hayward serves a customer at V Buckenham of Hungate's grocery in Beccles in January, 1993. The shop was, however, due to close, having fallen victim to competition from superstores, such as a new Safeway on the edge of town. It had traded in Hungate for more than 72 years.
6. Bucking the trend for village shops to close, former local nurse Jeanette Callaghan had just reopened the store at North Pickenham in April, 1993. The post office was also due to return and would be based inside the store. She said that local response so far was good as some people had been considering moving away because of the loss of local services.
7. Villagers living in Croxton near Thetford who ran out of a needle, milk or windscreen wash could find them all on sale in their newly reopened village shop in April, 1993. Wendy Wells was now in charge at the shop after former owner had appealed for someone to take it over rent free. Mrs Wells, originally from Berkshire, and her husband had moved into the corner shop which also used to be the village pub.
8. Saxlingham Nethergate Post Office Stores was thriving in May, 1993, thanks to the drive and retailing expertise of its owner David Bignell. The former senior manager for Sainsburys and Superdrug had been running the shop since 1990 and prided himself on providing a local service.
If you recognise anyone in the pictures or would like to tell us more about them you can email rosemary.dixon@archant.co.uk. To get a copy of one of our old photographs, visit www.edp24.co.uk/buyaphoto or telephone Diane townsend Mon-fri on 01603 772449. The photos will be available on the
website from Monday afternoon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here