The changing face of Market Street

Over the years the shopping street has vastly changed from the handful of shops that lined the cobbled road at the turn of the last century.

One picture shows a cart parked on the cobbled streets outside the window-fronted Victorian shops in 1900.

Market Street was made famous many years later by the comedian Benny Hill. He immortalised it in his chart-topping song about Ernie, who drove the fastest milk cart in the west.

Since those days in the 70s, many retail changes have galloped through Market Street. The pictorial flashbacks also show how the street turned into a bustling shopping hub in late 60s and mid-70s.

Long gone is the J Baker 'man's shop' store that once stood on the corner of the street.

However, one of the major survivors is Burton, the menswear store, which recently had a makeover.

Oswald Bailey is still there and there is still a pharmacy on the site of the old Wainwright's store.

The changing face of Market Street has included an influx of building societies, travel and estate agents and charity shops.

If you have any old photo memories of Eastleigh, contact the Daily Echo on 023 8061 4271.

See today's Eastleigh edition of the Daily Echo for more pictures of Market Street in days gone by.