Remembering the lost shops and eateries of Haverhill
Haverhill has seen hundreds of shops come and go over the years.
People of a certain age will remember the former Buildbase that once stood on the site of Tesco in Cangle Road, or the sport shop at one end of the High Street.
We have taken a look back at times gone by and what used to be situated around the West Suffolk town.
Woolworths
Every town across the country had a Woolworths at one point.
A classic part of British culture, the company went into administration in 2009 forcing stores across the country to close.
The shop was in a prominent location on the High Street, and was always popular with local residents.
Iceland now sits where Woolworths once stood.
Blockbuster
Who remembers when Aldi was in fact two different stores?
Nowadays, the supermarket is the sole occupant of the Lordscroft Lane building, but it was home to two businesses at one point.
Blockbuster occupied the right side of the premises, before Aldi took over the remainder of the store when the video rental business went bust.
Aurora Sports
At one time, Haverhill did have a successful sports shop.
Aurora Sports was located near to the arts centre, and could fulfil all of your shopping needs.
Argos
While Argos still remains in Haverhill, it is not quite the same as its former shop on the High Street.
Walking into the store, it felt like Christmas whatever time you were there. Hours could be lost wading through the catalogues picking out what you wanted.
However, the High Street shop is sadly no longer.
After opening in 1996, the store closed in 2018 and relocated to Sainsbury's in Haycocks Road.
Stead & Simpson with Happit
The high street chains once had a shop on Haverhill.
Now occupied by Costa Coffee, shoe store Stead & Simpson combined with retailer Happit for a home in Haverhill.
Google Maps images from 2009 show the premises as vacant, with the coffee chain having moved in by April the following year.
HSBC
As branches across the country continue to close, Haverhill did once have a HSBC.
However, the branch shut in 2015 as people started to shift to online banking.
Bonmarche
Fashion retailer Bonmarche is another business to have left Haverhill.
The clothing company closed its store in the town between 2011 and July 2012, before Poundland moved in.
Record Peddler
The record shop was a prominent member of Queen Street before it closed.
It shot to fame in 2012 after owner Adrian Bayford won almost £150m on the Euromillions.
STP Stationery
Next to Record Peddler, along Camps Road, was STP Stationery.
The business closed its premises in the town centre around 2016, before moving to a site in Rookwood Way.
Wimpy
Another business synonymous with British high streets is Wimpy.
The eatery was an established member of the most towns before they swathes of them in the last decade, including in Haverhill.
Located in Queen Street, the business closed in 2017 and is now home to Jenny's.
Buildbase - Cangle Road
Before Tesco was built, Buildbase used to be in the centre of town.
Years of planning saw the supermarket eventually open in 2009, but before that the building supplies merchant was situated there.
After Tesco was opened, Buildbase moved to a new premises in Phoenix Road.
Have we missed any shops? Contact ben.robinson@iliffepublishing.co.uk to share your memories
