HEREFORD has seen many shops open and close over the years, but which ones would you bring back if given the chance?
Members of our We Grew Up In Hereford group on Facebook have been fondly remembering the shops they miss.
Dianne Price voted for Greenlands, fondly remembering their displays.
She said: “Their Christmas displays were magical and the birds in the cage, stick a penny in and they would sing.”
Dianne was not alone, as it proved to be popular among many.
Others reminisced on the Hornby train layout in the toy department. John Price, who said he played with it for hours, described it as “something else.”
Greenlands ran a woodworking factory on Foley Street that opened in 1925, but the name was famous for its department store in High Town and depositary next to the Hop Pole in Commercial Street.
George Greenland was the great entrepreneur who brought the first department store to Hereford in the 19th century.
On July 18 2003, Colin Greenland closed the doors of the store for the final time after 150 years of retail trading in Hereford.
Elizabeth Garrett said: “That sort of department store is virtually extinct everywhere now.”
The beloved Woolworths also made an appearance, with many nostalgic memories of stealing the pick n mix.
In 1925 Woolworths opened its 200th store in Eign Gate in Hereford.
By 1963 the department store had undergone a huge update, with upper floors added.
But hard times later hit the company, with the shop closing in January 2009.
Chadds was another classic shop people wished they could bring back.
When the well-known department store, in Commercial Street closed in 2008, just short of its 80th year, 128 people lost their jobs.
Chris McKenzie said: “I loved all the little departments all squashed together with the creaky floors and dodgy lift!”
Jane Lilwall said Agustus C Edwards was an important shop in her childhood.
She said: “I had my first fur coat from there 14th birthday present from my parents. It was cream-coloured and so beautiful.”
Others thought back to local bakeries, Tudor and Mathews, and their delicious cakes.
D&D Models, Meadow Market, Wakeland and Knights, Goldings were also among the shops fondly remembered.
And, of course, bars were on the list.
Mike Wilce wished Buzz Music was still open. “I’d pop back to Hereford so much more often if it was,” he said.
The incense shop Casbah sat behind the Booth Hall was also mentioned multiple times by nostalgic Herefordians in the group.
John Price said: “Loved the different smells in there.”
And Sally Latham said: “Loved the Casbah! Still have my Middle Eastern scarf I got from there now.”
The old farm and garden supplies store Franklin Barnes & Co Ltd also made it on the list.
The building was rebuilt in the 1960s alongside the new inner ring road on Commercial Road.
Its building still sits on the corner of Commercial Road but is now occupied by Wye Valley Trust recruitment.
Many other shops, bars and department stores have come and go, many are still missed.
But as things move forward new independents have risen and taken their place for people to make more memories, they may look back on in years to come.
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