Prime location will be bustling once more

In last week’s Remember When, we looked back at the past occupants of the former Merchant Chandler premises at number 2 North Street as work commences to spruce up the beautiful building for a new tenant.

One longstanding tenant, the memorable drapery shop Ashley Russell, appears to have occupied the premises as far back as the 1930s and also had stores in other towns such as Hastings, Hammersmith, Ilford and Kingston.

The premises will soon become home to a selection of individual independent traders who would otherwise be unable to trade within the town as a sole occupant due to the astronomical overheads and one of them will be a cafe.

It will be refreshing to see trade flowing from the wellknown former department store once more.

With so many empty units within the ever changing town centre, it will be good to see such a prime location bustling once more.

From a historical point of view and as a historian, I am very pleased that the new occupants are making an effort to revitalise the tired building which has included repairing the rotten windows and refreshing the paintwork on both the interior and exterior of the building.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, to enable them to be scanned and featured in the Kentish Express?

If so, please write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, 34-36 North

Back in the days of the Merchant Chandler, I was very pleased to see that the original Ashley Russell signage still survived intact behind the plywood fascia. I would really love to see this exposed once more.

This week, Remember When takes a further look at the one-time premises of Ashley Street, Ashford TN24 8JR; or email me at rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @ SteveKMAshford.

You can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232. Russell. The pictures show its existence in the street scene and also clearly show the aforementioned Ashley Russell signage which still exists underneath the present day former signage of the Merchant Chandler.

If you have any pictures or memories of Ashley Russell, please get in touch.

North Street, 1970. This pre-Ringway view shows the premises of Ashley Russell in the distance (left) with the Lord Roberts pub on the immediate left adjacent to Denne’s the seedsman (centre left). Sainsbury’s (now Boots) and Roger Britton Carpets (who...

North Street, circa 1930s, and a splendid view showing the shop at number 2 North Street occupied by Ashley Russell.