More than 50 years ago, in the 1960s and 70s, Newport was a hive of activity, which boasted a unique collection of shops, where most of what you needed could be purchased.

Both national and local shops existed side by side, long before the county council decided to start charging for parking, or the birth of internet shopping — both of which have contributed to many changes within the high street.

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Among the once-popular high street shops which are now gone was Woolworths — on Saturdays in particular the store would be packed because it was one of those shops where you could buy almost anything.

Isle of Wight County Press: Dabell's was a different type of shop to the one you may know today. Photo: David White.Dabell's was a different type of shop to the one you may know today. Photo: David White.

Most people associate Dabell’s with flooring today, but it was once also the name of the Isle of Wight’s leading clothes and fashion store with its own “Zarina”brand.

Spanners was another old and well-established clothes store, while Bakers was a high street bicycle shop.

Many will remember Courts, which was a leading furnishing store, and other well-known local names included Millidge the chemist, Speeds wool shop, Alderslade house decorations and paints, and Wadhams house furnishings.

Some Isle of Wight towns have held onto their unique character and traditional shops more successfully than others.

Like reading stories about the Isle of Wight in bygone days? Click here to visit our Looking Back section for more interesting tales.