This photograph was taken on 19th March 1951. Copyright: Topham Picture Source.

Throughout the 1930s Mottingham expanded rapidly , mainly the result of the acquisition by the London County Council of 202 acres to build a cottage estate, but the old centre grew too.

This parade in what became known as Mottingham Village was completed, providing residents with an unpre-cedented variety of shops.

In recent years, in common with similar parades, the range of shops has declined as shoppers transfer their business to larger centres.