DALTON Road will be featured in an ITV documentary tomorrow night, so today we're taking a look at how Barrow's main shopping street has changed over the last 25 years.

Tomorrow at 7.30pm, Tonight presenter Geraint Vincent will ask whether Britain’s high streets can be saved in a documentary called High Streets: End of the Road?

The programme looks at the high street during the crucial festive period, and hears from firms facing high rent and rates while taking on competition from the internet and retail parks.

Doing something a bit different can generate plenty of interest for a Dalton Road shop, including having fashion models in the window.

The Mail, on Tuesday, November 30 in 1999, noted: “Maelstrom whipped up a storm among Saturday afternoon shoppers in Barrow when they used a pair of live models in their window display.

“Large crowds gathered outside the Dalton Road shop as Sarah Rowlandson and Miki Sevcik protected their modesty as best they could while they changed into and out of a range of jeans and casual clothing in full view of passers-by.

“The session began at 1.15pm and ran through the afternoon.

Speaking at the time, Manager Lynn Hood said it had been a triumph: “We had crowds of people all through the afternoon. It was very tiring and hectic for the models but we consider it was a great success for the shop.”

Many of the changes seen on Dalton Road in the past 25 years have been in response to national trends.

Things like motor parts, electricals, furniture, and carpets have mostly moved to edge-of-town sites, and the rise of supermarkets has seen the bulk of fish, meat, fruit, baking and vegetable shops vanish from the street.

In their place have come mobile phones, vaping, discount stores, barbers, and charity shops. A 1959 trade directory showed that Dalton Road’s more unusual traders included two furriers, camping specialists Kamp Kraft, two dry cleaners, four jewellers and sound technology specialist William Kelly.