WITH Christmas barely over, the minds and wallets of Sotonians were already focusing on the next big event on the consumer calendar – the sales.

This picture was taken on December 30, 1983 and shows bargain hunters on High Street, Southampton, outside Owen Owen.

The department store was a go-to for shoppers looking for a variety of wares – as well as a well-used shortcut to get from Castle Way to High Street and vice versa.

Cooks and Mayes drapers and mercers occupied the building at 174 High Street between 1830 and 1855 before changing their name to Mayes and expanding from 173 through to 178.

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The premises were destroyed during the Second World War and rebult when the business was acquired by Owen Owen Ltd in 1947.

The name of the store changed to Owen Owen in September 1964 and continued to trade at the location until 1994 when they left Southampton for good.

Do you remember the store? Why not leave a comment and share your memories?