IT SEEMS as though last week's article on Weymouth shops of the 1970s brought back happy memories for many people.

We had a huge response from readers who remembered these thriving independent businesses which populated St Mary Street.

One particular shop which attracted interest was the very upmarket jewellers John Vincent at 86 St Mary Street.

Looking Back regular Susan Hogben got in touch and sent us this photo of the store.

She said: "I can recall this vividly as a small child, the shiny black window surrounds that held within them the fantastic display of glistening silver items including huge cups and salvers.

"I used to stand and stare at these thinking how lovely it must be to use such posh items."

Also showing an interest in the shop was Jez Cunningham of Sutton Poyntz, who sent us this very interesting receipt from the John Vincent silverware shop.

Jez said: "I was looking at the article in the Echo and I remembered the receipt that my great-uncle Charlie kept with some silver-plated cutlery he bought in 1962. It's very interesting to see what a fancy piece of paper was issued in those days!"

*Susan also sent us an advert from Lovell's creamery.

She said: "I can remember this shop too, standing outside looking in the window where large earthenware bowls of clotted cream were displayed that had a thick yellow crust on, it was one of my mum's weaknesses!"

Another business she remembered was Kestin's the photography shop, an advert for which we can see here.

*THANKS to Esmee Nicholls for getting in touch with some of her memories of Weymouth shops from yesteryear.

She particularly remembers William Whittles' flower shop which was situated in Frederick Place.

"I also remember a pawnbrokers shop next door to Woolworths by the passageway that went from St Mary Street to the Esplanade.

"There were three brass balls to show it was a pawnbrokers."

Esmee also remembers witnessing a tragic accident in the 1950s outside Bennetts, a department store which latterly became Debenhams, in which a woman was killed after she dropped her purse, went to pick it up and was in collision with a bus.

She said: "All the buses used to park there to pick people up.

As a young girl Esmee would work in Roberts sweet shop during the holidays, which was opposite the post office in St Thomas Street.

There was another Roberts sweet shop in St Mary Street, Esmee remembers.

"People used to think the two shops were back to back, but they weren't," she said.

"I used to have to run round to get different things and then I'd have to run round to get liquorice from the sweet factory in St Alban Street.

"Mrs Roberts was very strict and we weren't allowed to eat any of the sweets!"

*Julie, a former Weymouth resident, got in touch with these pages to ask if anyone remembers the Alligator Club, which was situated in Hope Square, Weymouth, in the 1950s. She said she has some very happy memories of the club. If you do remember it, please get in touch the usual way.

*We were delighted to hear from Richard Samways of Weymouth Museum.

He wanted Looking Back readers to know that the museum, in Brewers Quay, has on display a wall of photographs of old shop fronts from St Thomas Street from the museum's large collection of images.

They can be viewed until the end of this month, from Wednesdays through to Saturdays from 10.30am to 4pm.

Richard also wanted readers to know that the museum is happy to answer enquiries about photographs and can be emailed at localhistoryunit@weymouthmuseum.org.uk

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