IN this edition of nostalgia, we are looking back at photographs of Whitehaven's shops and high street.

The changing face of Whitehaven is evident in these snaps, as we look at what Whitehaven used to look like throughout the decades. However, there are many buildings that are still the same. Many photos show buildings and statues that still look similar today.

One photo shows Uniform manufacturers H. Edgard & Sons (London) Ltd had their factory at Preston Street, Whitehaven. Thousands of military uniforms were produced for His Majesty’s Forces by the girls of Edgards’ Whitehaven factory.

Edgards came to Whitehaven in 1940 moving into temporary accommodation in the old Fibre Mill in Catherine Street training local labour in the manufacture of military, naval and air force uniforms. The Barracks Mill operation was on three floors and a chute was used to send garments down to the pressing room below. 

In 1947 it moved to Preston Street and, in its heyday it employed around 500 women, and a handful of men.

Some of the newer businesses people will be able to remember may include Woolworths, Blockbuster, Ethel Austen, Homeflair, Thorntons, Evans and Lakeland Dry Cleaners.

If you’ve been living in Whitehaven or close by for awhile, then you’ll surely have heard of The Beehive, whether you visited yourself, or you have heard about memories from older relatives.

Beehive Drapery Establishment, which was one of Whitehaven’s leading department stores trading from 57-60 King Street, spread over three floors. The Beehive’s opened in 1860 when the name was first used by Robert Douglas who traded from No.59. In 1890, Thomas Browne and Co bought both numbers 58 and 59 and after WWI, they expanded the store adding the further premises of number 57 and 60.