Here we go - a memory dump from the 80's - The Greek restaurant became an Indian,The Pakeeza - a late night drinking den with a dance floor and tables around the outside serving everyone's favourite Chicken Tikka masala. At the top of Forest Hill before Sainsburys was a Fish and Chip shop, a Wimpy, a dry cleaners and Goslings the deli. Then Sainsburys. Next to Sainsburys was a DER rental shop and a Woolich building society. A greengocers (cant recall the name) a card shop. On the corner where Bank Santander stands was a bakers (Place Bakers?) and next to the VAS dentist was tobacconist/sweet shop. The large restaurant Aseri, opposite the Capitol was a catering firm - called Hallmark. The Money Shop was a Bloomfields Bakery. Guinnes has morphed into Mackays - a similar type of shop. I recall the downstairs with the balls of wool and many dress patterns. 2 shoe shops located just beyond the Dartmoth Arms, a Barrets and Freeman Hardy and Willis. William Hills was a West Butchers. Plug and Socket for electrical goods next door, 2 more greengocers (one of these may have previously been a Dewhurst now a cafe), Paddy Power was a Co-op (I recall the greenshield stamps). Midland Bank on the corner, Tilt the clothes shop opposite, with Ace bakers next door (now boarded up), a multitude of hairdressers and barbers. Not to forget the large Post Office that has more recently closed. The Pizza Hut was a good cafe called the Golden Griddle and had a large old fashioned juke box. Opposite Sainsburys was a well established Indian, the Sylet Town Inn. The Orchard was called Romantique II (back in the day we didnt expect a lot and I recall the food was pretty bad). Poochies was a small Italian restaurant by the Hob (Hob was previously Pie and Kilderkin for you 80's people!). Poochies was OK.

Oh Happy days.