Upminster's vintage shops and department store remembered

These include "once ubiquitous" Thresher Wine Shop in Station Road, and motorcycle and side cars shop Mares of Upminster of the late 1960s.

Thresher Wine Shop in Station Road in 2000

Thresher Wine Shop in Station Road in Upminster, 2000 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

Thresher Wine Shop, seen to the left, was a "once ubiquitous" off license chain which stopped trading in 2009, according to Havering Libraries.

It sat next to Kingscott Bakery and LS Govani Dispensing Chemist, which is still in business in Station Road.

The name of Thresher has been revived as an online store, Havering Libraries added.

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Mares of Upminster in Upminster Road/ Norfolk Road in 1965

Mares of Upminster in Upminster Road/ Norfolk Road in 1965 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

Mares of Upminster, seen to the right, was a motorcycles and side cars business which was previously Essex Side Cars.

To the left was BM Cushion tobacconist and confectioner which opened in partnership as Ansell and Cushion, according to Havering Libraries.

Tollworthy Family Butcher, est. from 1923 to 1935, in Station Road

Tollworthy Family Butcher (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

Tollworthy Family Butcher was in Upminster from 1923 to 1935, Havering Libraries estimates.

In the frame you can see William John Tollworthy with his wife and staff proudly displaying their offering.

Roomes Stores Ltd in Station Road

Roomes at Christmas time (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

Roomes Stores, founded in Upton Park by James Roome, moved to Upminster in 1927 and was rebuilt in 1936, according to Havering Libraries.

The department store was a family-run business, which included a restaurant and fashion floor.

Roomes was demolished in 2007 and replaced by a Marks and Spencer shop, added Havering Libraries.

Artist impression of Roomes from 1956 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

This artists impression of Roomes provides a "marvellous time capsule of the department store and of a bygone era".

Roomes was previously served by a lift and "attractive" staircase, according to Havering Libraries.