High Street
As the name tells us that this was the main trading street of the town. There are some fine buildings and a number of these are now listed. These were originally the homes for the well-to-do and successful tradesmen but the ground floors had been converted to shops by 1900. Throughout the 20th century, and still continuing into the 21st, this has been a shopping street but the nature of the shopping has changed.
In 1900 there were 5 grocers, 2 bakers and confectioners, 3 fish and game dealers, 3 butchers and a greengrocer - 14 fresh food shops in all.
In the 1920s this had grown to 20 fresh food shops. Most of these were independent traders, although by 1930 the
Peterborough Co-op had 2 shops and the International Stores had arrived.
By 2020, this had completely changed. There are sandwiches for sale; there are cafes that sell items of food;
there are health food shops and ‘Cook’ that sells ready meals.
Only ‘Marks & Spencer’s Simply Food’ and ‘Tesco Express’ now sell any fresh food.
