Long-lost shops will not be forgotten

Top left: The first Ashford Sainsbury’s store, Lower High Street, 1961; top right: Tesco, Tufton Centre, 1975; bottom left: Presto, Tufton Centre, 1975; bottom right: International Stores, Upper High Street, 1957

There was a period in Ashford’s past when shoppers had an array of choices when it came to buying groceries. In the days before the huge warehouse-type stores existed, the choice within many towns - including Ashford - started with the counter service chains and independents and then by the early 1960s, the first self-service stores started to appear.

Ashford had quite a choice back in the day with both memorable independents and well-known chains gracing our streets that many of us will readily remember.

Top left: Headley Grocer, Lower High Street, 1976; top right: County Market Stores, Station Road, 1968; bottom left: International Stores’ later site, Upper High Street, 1977; bottom right: C.F. Hutson, Lower High Street, 1973

They’ve come and gone over the years and the choice the town centre has today has considerably faltered.

With many businesses now defunct or taken over and even changing their business name, it’s hard to keep track of what once was.

Some chains such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco have gone from strength to strength, opening stores across the UK in many major towns and cities.

The aforementioned chains have a presence in some smaller villages, too, with Sainsbury’s Local stores and Tesco Express sites.

Some would say there is no place for the independent grocer nowadays, but some still make a go of their trade up against the major players in the market.

Many readers will find it hard to believe just how many grocers there were in the town during the 1960s and 70s, and will be equally surprised at their location.

Testimony to their commitment to the town, Tesco and Sainsbury’s invested in bigger and better stores over a period and now have out-of-town stores where they continue to do such a roaring trade.

The added advantage of free car parking is quite often the attraction nowadays.

This week, Remember When takes a special look back at Ashford’s grocery choice of bygone times through 12 images which will almost certainly bring memories flooding back.

Do you have any photographs or slides of old Ashford you would be willing to loan me to enable them to be scanned for a possible feature in the Kentish Express?

Please don’t delay, feel free to get in touch.

Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8RY.

Email me: rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling the Kentish Express office in Park Mall on 01233 623232.

Top left: Ashford’s first self-service J Sainsbury’s store, high street, 1967; top right, Safeway’s, New Street, 1986; bottom left: Co-operative, Lower High Street, 1971; bottom right: Pricerite, Lower High Street, 1970

When will we be able to meet like this again? A view from the stage at Ashford’s Create Music Festival