We all have fond memories of being ushered by our mums into birmingham -city-centre>Birmingham city centre for school uniform shopping at C&A, or getting new shoes from Clarkes. The routine would involve heading to the ramp, hoping for a McDonald’s treat, spending hours in the market, and then sleeping the rest of the evening away.
The journey would often include catching the train and alighting at Moor Street, the end of the line, and wandering around the old Bull Ring. We’d leaf through the latest Argos catalogue, dreaming of the toys we wished we could have – a stark contrast to today’s world of Amazon Prime and home deliveries.
In those days, the High Street was the place to be, bustling with independent shops, and greengrocers who would empty potatoes straight from the weighing scales into your mum’s veg bag, soil included for that extra flavour.
Shopping has evolved significantly over the decades, and we’re taking a nostalgic look back at some of those times. Interestingly, many of the old ways are making a comeback, like bringing your own shopping bags and cheap meat and offal returning to many menus.
It seems shopping habits move in cycles, with out-of-town shopping centres and home deliveries having their moment. Who knows, perhaps the day will come when the High Street reigns supreme once again.