From the Dover Mercury, 26 November, 2009.

Wider street needed as the car came into its own.

THE car has a lot to answer for in the alterations and appearance of Deal town centre.

This old view of Queen Street, formerly Five Bells Lane, has substantially altered, with properties demolished for road widening and removal of forecourts to create wider pavements.

On the right are the offices of the East Kent Mercury, which started business in 1865 and at one time had a front garden surrounded with neat iron fencing. Beyond were Mr Inkerman Baker's ham and beef stores, previously Stephen Laker's bootmaker's shop. Mr E. Williams saddle and harness shop, earlier owned by Mr Bushell, was further along and at the bottom of the road was Mr Frank Romney's bakery with a variety of later owners.

On the left in the foreground was Dobson's Cafe and Restaurant later becoming Little's Cafe and Restaurant and now the empty building of the former Deal Job Centre.

The row of shops beyond included Vye & Sons "the Kentish grocers" Queen Street branch; A. W. Page shoe shop; E. F. Howe stationers; a dairy under various ownership including H S Thacker; and Spencer Smith's butchers that was later owned by C E Thorpe.

Beyond can just been seen Burton's men's outfitters in Broad Street on the corner of the High Street that is now Your Move estate agents.

The old Now and Then picture is taken from Shops Remembered in Deal and Walmer by former East Kent Mercury journalist Judith Gaunt, who lives in Deal.

She is signing copies of her book on Sunday at Deal Book Fair which is being held in the Cleary Room at the Landmark Centre, High Street, from loam to 2.30pm.

Judith said she was thrilled with the response to her book.

Queen Street, Deal, In November 2009, with the Mercury office on the right Picture: Paul Amos PDI646816