ALTHOUGH you will, no doubt, recognise where this photograph was taken what is puzzling us is the date it was snapped.

It shows Market Street in Bolton town centre when the street looked very different to how it looks today.

There are several shops that will be familiar to many of our readers, including Timothy Whites which later became Boots, and just look at the awnings over the shop fronts — you do not see those very often today.

This was a time when Bolton town centre was buzzing with life and activity — at this time we did not have the out of town shopping centres and we certainly did not have online shopping.

People would pop into town for their grocery shopping and to pick up a joint of beef from the butcher.

Large supermarkets had yet to be introduced to the public although there were Co-operative stores which were the nearest thing to a superstore.

It was a time of buying shopping as and when families needed it rather than stocking up on perishable products.

Many families did not have fridges so it was impossible to keep perishable food fresh and freezers were pie in the sky for most people.

There was something to be said for buying as you went along though.

No doubt there would be far less waste than many of us accumulate today.

Do you have memories of daily shopping?If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk