MANY readers will have fond memories of Frank Wood's hat shop and men's outfitters - one of the lost traditional traders from Barrow town centre.

The imminent closure of the Forshaw Street store - ahead of demolition - was noted in the Evening Mail 25 years ago.

An article on March 6 in 1992 noted: "One of the casualties of the town centre redevelopment will be quality hatters Frank Wood, one of Barrow's oldest shops and in business since 1900.

"Nigel Wood has been running the shop for the last 46 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who established the business, now the oldest family-run shop in the town.

"Mr Wood said that his shop has changed very little over the years and the 1911 wooden cash till and Edwardian top hats are testimony to that.

"The shop has kept to its traditions, ensuring a steady flow of customers.

"But all that will end when Mr Wood locks up for the last time and the bulldozers move in.

"Mr Wood said it was a relief that the council had finally got the money to buy his shop.

"It had ended years of waiting, during which time he didn't know whether he was coming or going."

Mr Wood told the Evening Mail: "I have been more or less waiting to retire and now I can look forward to sitting back and enjoying life.

"It's a funny feeling and I feel very sad that it's finishing."

Two other shops in Forshaw Street also received news that the council would be buying their shops to demolish them for what would become the Portland Walk retail development.

Alan Wilson had been running his bakers and confectioners for 36 years.

Harry and Mary Pitcher were to retire after running Winters leather goods and toy shop for 37 years.

The article noted: "Over the years they have adapted their business from saddlery to a shop which sellls evefrything from rubber chickens to leather purses.

"Mrs Pitcher said that selling children's toys had kept her young and she would be sad to see the end of the shop."

The traditonal shop front and fittings from Frank Wood's hatters was dismantled and put into storage at the open air industrial museum at Beamish in County Durham.

An article in the Evening Mail on April 6 in 1992 noted: "Its well preserved state, still with its 19th century shop front, makes it an ideal acquisition for the museum.

"The museum's senior keeper, Rosemary Allan, said: 'It is wonderful from our point of view that it has survived'."