#102

Plenty of household names have come and gone at the western end of Ilford High Road over the years. Building societies have been merged or taken over, retailers have closed down or moved out of the town and new names have replaced them. Between 1991 and 2024 only one business has remained constant at the parade featured. Another disappeared and returned when its name was revived. Do you know which they are?

[@moynulrashid1909]

Out of Town Business Trading estates, Internet, business rates had a massive effect in all major towns in the UK. This is the norm now. I grew up a few minutes walk from Ilford Town centre and I loved the old Ilford. Recently worked in Romford Town centre for the last 8 months and it is the same too. Even the centuries old market is not as bustling as it used to be

[@IlfordRetro]

Interesting to hear how Romford has changed too. It still has a better variety of shops though but yes the market is a shadow of what it used to be. You're right about all those factors which have played a part in bringing town centres to their knees.

[@moynulrashid1909]

@@IlfordRetro Romford always had more shops than Ilford and both before the regeneration of Stratford were the places to shop in the East London boroughs

[@IlfordRetro]

@@moynulrashid1909 completely right about that

[@ClydebridgeStation]

Ratners, ah! I remember his Crap comment, which earned front page news, as well as pages 2, 3, 4, 5 etc! In fact, he put an apology letter in each of his branches, but to no avail!

[@IlfordRetro]

It was a masterclass in what NOT to say about your own business! I didn't realise there was an apology in the branches but as you point out, the damage was already done. I wish more of those corporate gaffes happened these days. Well, in fact I'm sure they do, most notably on Twitter but these days they are more likely to gain you a following if not loads of publicity for your brand 😂 .

[@ClydebridgeStation]

@@IlfordRetro they say bad publicity is better than no publicity! I'm not sure about that!

[@IlfordRetro]

@@ClydebridgeStation 🤣

[@johanna5688]

I'd like to see the same with before and after scenes in Bayswater, London and also Colchester, Essex. Please??

[@IlfordRetro]

It's a great idea and thanks for the suggestion. Our historic photos are largely based in and around Ilford and we use our own collection to avoid any copyright claims. That said, we considering ways we could branch out or at least use some of the non-Ilford photos we have in the future.

[@johanna5688]

Thanks for thinking about it and for your reply.🎉🎉

[@rajnirvan3336]

I remember what Gerald Ratner said about his business 😂😂😂. I remember my mum brought me a watch from there 3 years earlier for my birthday. 1991 was memorable year in a lot of nice ways especially the summer

[@IlfordRetro]

It was a complete business-killer which was a shame because Ratners sold a good range of watches at better prices than say, Argos or other jewellers.

[@rajnirvan3336]

@@IlfordRetro Oh definitely. I forgot Argos sold jewellery and watches now you mentioned it. Was Elizabeth Duke.

[@IlfordRetro]

@@rajnirvan3336 that's the one. I remember thinking Elizabeth Duke sounded so posh!

[@pikachu6031]

I thought it was Gerald’s Son who said it…. I certainly remember it well!

[@IlfordRetro]

@@pikachu6031 I bet he wished he could have blamed someone else for saying it......

[@junehoward6668]

i walked past burger king last week . not sure if it permanently closed or just temporary i thought they did ok for customers. the high road looked so much busier years again

[@IlfordRetro]

You're right that in previous years the High Road was always packed and on a Saturday afternoon it would be heaving. The old Burger King on the High Road has reopened as Popeye's Chicken which brings some life back to that part of the street. It seems popular enough and will hopefully last longer than the Wendy's that was there before it.

[@Xxlovecongoxx]

It's permanently closed their lease expired apparently

[@IlfordRetro]

Apologies June I was in 1991-mode when you first made your comment! You're right about that Burger King in the Exchange, I think it closed in December 2023 and I'll agree with what @Xxlovecongoxx says about their lease expiring. I guess they didn't feel they were doing enough sales to renew it.