LAST week we featured a picture of the main store and head office of Wildings at 165 Commercial Street, Newport from 1911.

TODAY’S picture is of Newport’s Wildings store. It was founded by Alfred Wilding, a Shropshire lad, who opened his first shop in Newport in 1874 which has been an integral part of the town for nearly 150 years and noted for its high quality goods and personal service.

Wildings has moved to various premises in the town, moving to 165 Commercial Street in 1931. The store always used to have a wonderful Christmas display over the front entrance to the shop.

Wildings had a very nice, quiet café where my wife and I used to enjoy a coffee and cake. Just visible on the right of the photo is the London House department store which burnt down in the late 1950s or early 1960s, one of three serious fires in Commercial Street at the same time, the others being C&A and the Westgate Hotel.

Dave Woolven, Newport

I’M IN my late 70s. I can always remember when I used to take my children to see the shop at Christmas time. They had brilliant window displays that were always different. This was 30/ 40 years ago now.

My aunties lived in the valleys and they would always come to the Wildings to buy something special. There was always something there to purchase, just as it is today. I think it’s the best shop in Newport. Next door to the Wildings was the London House, a department store and on the other side there was a public house, I can’t remember the name.

Mrs Roberts, Newport

THIS is Commercial Street in Newport. I did go in there with my mother as a kid. I think it’s the top end of Commercial Street on the right.

Jim Dyer, Newport