A look inside our old shops in Cumbria throughout the years

These are a collection of photos which show the inside of what our old shops used to look like, and some shop displays showing what use to be on offer.

One photo shows Woolworths, which opened in Carlisle in 1924, though the location of this first store is unknown.

In 1933, they relocated to English Street. The old workhouse had been sold to Woolworths, Burtons and two other retailers on a 99 year lease, and together they designed this building that was made of red sandstone. The corner store was Burton, and Woolworth was on its left. Later the store was extended to Victoria Viaduct, creating an L-shaped store.

The building had ‘Woolworth Buildings’ engraved at the top, the store closed in 2008.

WHSmith on English Street in Carlisle which is pictured still stands today, W H Smith opened in English Street in 1906 and moved to new premises on the street in 1928.

Littlewood's opened in the 1960's in Carlisle. The Carlisle branch was as prominent as any, occupying a prime site next to Marks and Spencer on English Street, and when it closed in January 1998 M&S bought the building to extend its own sales floor.

Wallace’s located at 79A King Street in Whitehaven was established 1871, and offered gentlemen's boots.

Uniform manufacturers H. Edgard & Sons (London) Ltd is pictured. 

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. 

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