IN this edition of nostalgia, we have delved into our archives to pull together a gallery of businesses in Workington and how they looked.

We have revisited stores that were either once a fixture for shoppers in Workington, or ones that have underwent a makeover since then.

One of the most dominant shopping area's in Allerdale is the Washington Square shopping centre. Scoop acquired Washington Square in June 2014 from Blackstone.

Developed at a cost of around £50million, the scheme opened in 2006 and provides prime retail in the town centre, extending to 263,000 sq ft with 60 retail units. The Centres opening was anchored by Next, River Island and New Look and includes a 427 space car park.

The shops inlcuded on this list also features the Bata shoe shop which opened in Maryport in 1963, there was a long queues of shoppers waiting for opening day.

JJB sports was another huge store which closed in 2012, and sat vacant.

There are some other older stores and businesses featured on this list which includes the Myers and Bowman new car showroom, the Midland Bank, and Mark Taylor.

Located on the corner of Murray Road and Upton Street in Workington. Probably Cumbria’s most luxurious cinema, the Ritz Cinema opened on September 26 1938 with Deanna Durbin in “Mad About Music”, with seating for 1,400 in stalls and balcony.

It was designed by local architect Tom Nicholson and had a foyer lined with Australian Walnut panelling and chrome fittings. 

Operated throughout its life by Graves Cinemas Ltd., the Ritz Cinema was tripled by them and reopened on 17 May 1982 with two mini-cinemas situated under the balcony. 

However in a small town this still proved too large and the Ritz Cinema closed on February 28 1988 and was demolished the following month. A good send off was provided with the 1945 film Gene Kelly in “Anchors Aweigh” and a short stage interlude.