LAST week we featured a picture of Commercial Street in Newport.

Commercial Street is a long main shopping street leading from the city centre of Newport.

This week’s "Now and Then" picture shows Commercial Street in Newport. The Tramlines are visible in the "then"’ photo and a tram in the distance. There are shops on both sides of the road including "Wildings" on the right-hand side. It is now on the left. In the middle distance is the Town Hall. There are many people about round on foot but no vehicles other than the tram. The clothing of the people looks quite modern but those gas lights? What date?

The "now" picture is very recent. It shows Commercial Street again with the bottom of Charles Street. Again there are shops on both sides of the street , no trams of course. The last tram ran in 1937. No vehicles because this is a pedestrian area, hence the trees. There is no town hall – that was demolished many years ago.

Note how a modern camera makes the buildings on both sides of the road look as if they are leaning towards each other.

Brian J. J. Jelf, Newport.

This week’s picture is Newport’s Commercial Street. On the near left hand side is Reynold’s department store on the corner with Charles Street.

The store had low windows, the sills of which were curved cast bronze panels with the name “Reynolds” being highly polished. The name shone like gold. In the centre of the photo is the Victorian tTown hHall with its iconic clock tower, The clock was lit up at night.

The Town Hall was re-built in 1885 at a cost of £35,000, the tower was 150 feet high and visible & could been seen from many parts of the town. In the Town Hall was a magnificent organ. Sadly, like so many parts of good old Newport, the building fell to the wreckers' hammers to be replaced by a ghastly 1960’s' shop front.

The picture must date from to before the 1930’s as there is a tram in the distance and no an absence of motor vehicles. Look how busy the street was busy then. with every premises occupied, unlike today.

Dave Woolven, Newport.