One group working on this project is looking at shops, businesses and pubs in the village. In the early stages the focus was on Queen Street as the main shopping street, looking at the developments and changes since 1920. One of our group, Sue Middleton, had done some previous research and produced a chart showing the present shops and buildings together with those that have been and gone. How many people know that there was once a branch of the Midland Bank, or who can remember when there was a fish and chip shop where there is now a greengrocer? Peter Topps, led a conducted tour talking about the changes he has seen over the years, adding fascinating details and stories about shopkeepers and residents. Another member of our group, Margaret Poultney has researched old trade directories which show that Bottesford had a shoe repairer, a men's hairdresser, a saddler and an omnibus proprietor amongst others. This material and some contemporary photographs the group was exhibited at the May 2007 Project Exhibition and visitors were most helpful in providing further details. This helped guide the gathering of further information about the history other shops and businesses in Bottesford.
