Shops we have lost and that we miss.

Ariadne I remember buying a dress from the Cologne branch of C+A it was cheap but remarkably well made and it was lined, unseen in the UK branches.

Maniac I loved the Maypole and have fond memories of the 'butter barrel' that stood in our local shop. My Nan would send me to buy 4oz of butter which was patted in to shape with wooden pats and then wrapped in greaseproof paper.

Every town used to have a well stocked wool shop and they were usually willing to put the amount of wool needed aside for a few weeks. These days I have to travel miles to the nearest wool shop or buy online.

I miss United Dairies so nice having the milk at your doorstep WHY though I don't understand why you would stop that..I have seen a few companies coming back recently and hope they will be in my area, also miss traditional sweet shops that had sweets in jars!

I used to love The Pier for unusual knick knacks. I bought some lovely beaded curtain tie backs from there. It was one of the first to go in the recession.

Oh, I'd forgotten Ottakars! Taken over by Waterstones, which is bland in comparison.

Borders - I nearly wept when our local branch was closed, it was so much better then Waterstones. C & A, Wollies, Mac Fisheries, United Dairies.
We used to have a good range of shops in my little suburb including a toy store and a Knit Wool shop. Now the likes of Starbucks and Costa, Subway etc are moving in. Also expensive boutiques and charity shops. Buying any form of haberdashery is a nightmare as we have to travel far and wide - the nearest decent fabric shop is miles away in a warehouse deep in the Dorset countryside.

Stead & Simpson
Timothy Whites

Maypole -groceries
Richards-dress shops
UCP-tripe shops in NW England.

Definitely C&A. I always head for them when we're in Brussells. You still have to search carefully through the tat, but there's usually something nice.