Up and down the country, the street scene has changed beyond all recognition over the decades, and many say not for the better.

Out-of-town and internet shopping has come at a cost, and there has been an obvious casualty in Ashford’s case - the high street.

Authorities infer that all is under control and that we have nothing to worry about, but I get many emails and letters from scores of worried residents past and present, all asking what the authorities are doing about it.

Many pick up a copy of one of my books where imagery illustrates a town of completeness and one that could hold its own.

Rising costs including rates and rent are a considerable worry to both the independent and the national chain – and many have gone, some within months of first trading.

This week, Remember When takes a look back at the town in 1962 when almost every shop and store were taken, overheads were not such a burden as they are today, and the town centre had a shopping infrastructure to be proud of.

Taken possibly on a Sunday (before Sunday trading came along), the pictures illustrate the variety that the town once had.

Many thanks to Bill Waters for this week’s trio of splendid pictures.

n Do you have any photographs or slides of old Ashford you would be willing to loan me to enable them to be scanned for possible feature in the Kentish Express?

Please don’t delay, feel free to get in touch.

Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8RY.

Email me: rememberwhen_kmash@hotmail.co.uk

Follow me on Twitter: @SteveKMAshford.

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling the Kentish Express office on 01233 623232.