An empty shop in Dover High Street has a much more attractive look now, thanks to the perseverance of volunteers from the London Road Community Forum.

They have installed huge photos of scenes of Dover town centre from years ago at the former Sainsbury store.

It took more than a year for the forum members to receive the go-ahead for the work.

“The six large plate glass windows have each had pictures of bygone Dover installed, while the smaller plate glass windows at street level have the forum logo and website address,” said secretary Andy Cooper.

“The effect has been to transform whitewashed windows and a drab, derelict vista into discussion points and lift the whole appearance of the building.
“One bystander commented that it was amazing what a little effort could do to transform the place, and that’s exactly what we at the forum believe.”

Funding for the project came from the Kent County Council Members Grant, and Councillor Nigel Collor was among those who called in to see the work being carried out.

“Sainsbury’s have declared themselves delighted with the images,” said Mr Cooper.

The photos were provided by Rick Jones of Lydden-based Absolute Graphix.

“The whitewash had been on the windows for so long that it had changed texture and turned into a glue-like substance that proved difficult to shift,” said Rick. “So the job turned into a bit of a marathon affair!”