Published: 06:00, 30 November 2019
Updated: 16:06, 25 October 2022
Kent's town centres - and those across the country - have had a turbulent time over the last few decades.
The opening of out-of-town retail centres in the 1990s and the rise of internet shopping have caused many obituaries to be written about the death of the high street.
Outside the Sava Centre near Gillingham
Gillingham High Street, 1976
Gillingham High Street, 1978
Inside the Sava Centre, 1989
A view of the Sava Centre at Hempstead Valley, 1989
Debenhams in Gillingham High Street, 1980
Valenciennes Square in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham
The entrance to Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham High Street
Rainham High Street, 1974
High Street, Rochester, 1980
Rochester High Street, 1983
Rochester High Street, 1986
Rochester High Street, 1986
Rochester High Street being re-styled in 1981
But our town centres continue to evolve and many people still hold them in great affection.
Here we look back through our archive at what many regard as the 'golden age' of the town centre in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Tufton Shopping Centre, Ashford, 1979 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
The Old High Street, Folkestone, 1974
The Old High Street, Folkestone, 1975
Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, 1987 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
The Riceman's fashion show, Canterbury, 1974
The Riceman's fashion show in Canterbury, 1974
The Upper High Street, Ashford, 1975 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
New Romney High Street, 1977
Tenterden High Street 1973
Tenterden High Street, 1977
Tenterden High Street, 1984
The entrance of the Tufton Shopping Centre, Ashford, 1975 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
The Tufton Shopping Centre, Ashford, 1975 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
The Upper High Street, Ashford, 1977 Picture courtesy Steve Salter
These fascinating pictures show the county's high streets and shopping centres have changed over the years - along with the fashions worn by customers.
If you have any photos of Kent's shops and shoppers from the same period, please share them with us at news@thekmgroup.co.uk
The Army and Navy Store in Week Street, Maidstone, 1980
The Stoneborough Centre, Maidstone, 1982
The Stoneborough Centre, Maidstone, 1988
The Stoneborough Centre, Maidstone, 1988
The Stoneborough Centre, Maidstone, 1978
The Stoneborough Centre, Maidstone, 1983
Sheerness High Street, 1979
Christmas lights in Sheerness High Street, 1983
High Street, Sittingbourne, 1970
High Street, Sittingbourne, 1973
High Street, Sittingbourne, 1976
High Street, Sittingbourne, 1980
High Street, Sittingbourne, 1980
Tonbridge High Street, 1971
Tonbridge High Street, 1980
Tunbridge Wells High Street, 1974
Tunbridge Wells High Street, 1974
High Street, Tunbridge Wells, 1983
Tunbridge Wells High Street, 1983
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