LAST week's Flashback Thursday featured some fond memories of the New Market Square and lower town area. 

Twenty-one years ago in May 1998, shops began to close. Some managed to relocate, others disappeared forever.

Exactly 21 years ago today, Nicolsons newsagents was open for the very last time. My memories of this shop as a child are the multi-coloured Mr Whippy ice cream that they sold in the summer from a window at the back. I was also mesmerised by the tobacco pipes they had in a display cabinet.

Correspondence

Following last week's page, I received a photograph from Kim Burgess of the La Calimita Restaurant. 

Apparently this was situated across the road from the Waldorf/ABC Cinema in the mid-1960s before being demolished to build the new town and NCP car park.  He says the car in the photo has a 1965 dated numberplate so its gives you a rough idea of the era.

Basingstoke Gazette:

You can get involved with Flashback Thursday.  Send photos to flashbackthursday@gmail.com or by post to Flashback Thursday, Gazette House, Pelton Road Basingstoke RG21 6XD.