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Changing towns and shops

The forgotten histories of Kent’s shopping centre sites

The forgotten histories of Kent’s shopping centre sites

We have all visited the county’s big shopping centres – but have you ever asked yourself what used to be on the sites upon which they now stand?

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How shopping in Kent has changed over the years

How shopping in Kent has changed over the years

We've looked through the archives to find pictures of the county's many shopping centres to see how they've changed through the decades.

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Incredible pictures of Sainsbury's in Kent over the years

Incredible pictures of Sainsbury's in Kent over the years

We take a walk back through the decades to chart the history of the major supermarket chain and the changing face of its stores across Kent.

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Kent's lost cinemas and what they are now

Kent's lost cinemas and what they are now

We take a look back at the history of some of Kent's former cinemas and see what they have become.

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Kent's lost Blockbusters and what they are now

Kent's lost Blockbusters and what they are now

Sites once home to a much-loved video rental chain have since been put to a variety of uses - including a sexual health clinic and a drug den.

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Kent's shops in the 70s and 80s

Kent's shops in the 70s and 80s

Pictures from our archive show town centres and shopping arcades from across our county in days gone by.

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Every Wetherspoon pub in Kent and what was there before

Every Wetherspoon pub in Kent and what was there before

From former opera houses, to police stations to car showrooms - each of the county's 23 Wetherspoon pubs has a fascinating history behind it.

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Changing building styles in Kent

Changing building styles in Kent

What today resembles a concrete, featureless monolith was yesterday's cutting edge architecture.

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See how our towns have changed over 11 years

See how our towns have changed over 11 years

Check out our interactive images charting the changes in our towns over recent years.

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Kent's lost schools and what they are now

Kent's lost schools and what they are now

Over the last century many of the county's education establishments have disappeared - we look at what happened and what they are now.

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Kent's lost BHS stores and what they are now

Kent's lost BHS stores and what they are now

They have disappeared from our towns and cities but here is what became of the buildings occupied by BHS in Kent.

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The first ever pub in your town - and what's there now

The first ever pub in your town - and what's there now

While some have become Italian restaurants or bargain stores, many of Kent's oldest pubs are still going.

Kent's old banks and what they are now

Kent's old banks and what they are now

With many banks across the county closing due to lack of footfall we looked at what their grand buildings are now being used for.

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The ups and downs of Tesco in Kent over 100 years

The ups and downs of Tesco in Kent over 100 years

Tesco employs thousands of people across Kent but its relationship with the county has not been without controversy over its 100-year history.

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Kent's lost swimming pools

Kent's lost swimming pools

From Sheerness Aquarena to Clifton Baths, we've looked back at a selection of Kent's swimming pools and lidos which have been loved and lost.

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The glory days of Kent's piers and what they look like now

The glory days of Kent's piers and what they look like now

We take you through the tales of death, visiting presidents, financial strife and destruction that litter the histories of the county's piers.

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Kent's lost tourist attractions

Kent's lost tourist attractions

From a 'Dolphinarium' to Dickens World, we take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce about the county's best-loved former visitor attractions.

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Kent's lost police stations and what's there now

Kent's lost police stations and what's there now

From blocks of flats to beauty salons and Wetherspoon pubs, several of our county's former police stations now have a new lease of life.

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Kent's hospitals then and now

Kent's hospitals then and now

Take a look back in time and fast forward to the present as we go back into the archives to look at Kent's hospitals through the ages.

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Pictured: Kent's lost hotels

Pictured: Kent's lost hotels

We searched our archives to find photos of the county's lost hotels - how many do you remember?

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Pictures show how Kent changed over a decade

Pictures show how Kent changed over a decade

As Kent prepared to welcome in the 2020s, pictures show how the county changed over the previous 10 years.

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Are you living on an old hospital?

Are you living on an old hospital?

Check out these 13 sites which used to be hospitals and what stands in their place now.

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The story of town's first shopping centre

The story of town's first shopping centre

We delve into the archives to trace to look at the colourful history of a Kent shopping centre.

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Aerial photos show Kent like you've never seen it before

Aerial photos show Kent like you've never seen it before

We showcase some stunning images taken from the skies - some dating back almost 100 years - showing just how much Kent's towns have changed.

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Boom and bust of Kent's forgotten brickworks industry

Boom and bust of Kent's forgotten brickworks industry

It once employed thousands with sites across the county but the brickworks industry is now in danger of disappearing without trace.

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Town that's always changing

Town that's always changing

A look at a town's streets which have changed beyond recognition in the last few decades.

How Kent's London overspill estate was rebuilt

How Kent's London overspill estate was rebuilt

A whole suburb of one of the county's largest towns was demolished at the start of the century, but 20 years on has the revamp had the desired effect?

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Whatever happened to 'the Kentish Grocers?'

Whatever happened to 'the Kentish Grocers?'

Vye and Son was a popular shop on the county's high streets for more than 150 years, here we take a look back at its history.

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The lost pubs of Medway

The lost pubs of Medway

We take a look at some of the pubs in Medway that have closed down over the years, and what stands in their place today.

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The lost pubs of Canterbury

The lost pubs of Canterbury

We take a look back at some of the city's most legendary pubs which have sadly closed - and what's there now.

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The lost pubs of Maidstone

The lost pubs of Maidstone

It's a matter of time until you're back in your local, we promise. Until then spare a thought for those who have loved and lost their beloved pubs.

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