Many Southenders will have fond memories of meandering through the Talza Arcade - the warren of little shops in the centre of town where you could buy everything from pets to petunias.

Echo: Work for Pavilion Outside Keddies in the High StreetWork for Pavilion Outside Keddies in the High Street (Image: Newsquest)

But this was most likely the “new” Talza Arcade, and few people will go far back as to remember when the original arcade opened in the 1920s.

The original Talza opened in Southchurch Road, at the junction with High Street, opposite the Hippodrome Theatre in 1926.

Echo: Customers back in November 1967 peruse stores in the brand new Talza Arcade Customers back in November 1967 peruse stores in the brand new Talza Arcade (Image: Newsquest)

But in the early 1960s plans for the £6 million Victoria Circus redevelopment were announced and the scheme - which would include a modern new undercover shopping centre, as well as new roads, an underpass, and multi storey - would spell the end for the original Talza alleyway.

Echo: Work to build the shopping centre takes place in March 1967Work to build the shopping centre takes place in March 1967 (Image: Newsquest)

This ambitious development was built in stages and a Talza alleyway was incorporated into the plans for the Victoria Centre - with many of the original shops moved into a new home here. The new walkway was off of Chichester Road and was part of the lowest level of the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Echo: Store stalwart - Edna’s Haberdashery moved into the new Talza Arcade in 1967Store stalwart - Edna’s Haberdashery moved into the new Talza Arcade in 1967 (Image: Newsquest)

Among the retailers to take up home here were The Pantiles, which was full of bric-a-brac, antiques and old books as well as Edna’s Haberdashery and Joy’s Shoes.

Then there was Janes Flowers, Matthews which sold artist materials, and Vic Electrix.

Echo: The new railway bridge in Queensway, Whitegate Road, pictured in November 1967The new railway bridge in Queensway, Whitegate Road, pictured in November 1967 (Image: Newsquest)

You could grab a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea at the Mornaga Bar, while Hobby Stores was a magnet for young boys who flocked to buy the latest model aeroplane kits.

There was also Bobins book shop, Efelwhites bathroom suites, Half Price Records, Pat’s Sweet Shop and Rene fashions’.

Echo: A customer outside the Pantiles which sold bric-a-brac and antiquesA customer outside the Pantiles which sold bric-a-brac and antiques (Image: Newsquest)

One of the original shops- Talza Pets- also took up home in the new development. The premises boasted “Any pet you want the Talza pet shop can get it”. Let’s hope they had learned from an incident in 1937 when a monkey escaped from the shop.

The cheeky primate made off towards Victoria Circus where it managed to evade recapture. It turned up a few days later on the window sill of a bedroom in Elmer Avenue.

Echo: Bata shoe shop is pictured next to a sign about the Victoria Circus Development back in November 1967Bata shoe shop is pictured next to a sign about the Victoria Circus Development back in November 1967 (Image: Newsquest)

Police were called and made a grab for the monkey but it leapt onto the dressing table. Eventually the pet shop owner was called out and managed to grab the animal.

The photos in our gallery, which have been re-printed by volunteers at the Rayleigh Town Museum, show Southend in 1967 as the Victoria Circus development was in full swing. Buildings were going up and buildings were coming down in order to modernise and improve Southend and the new Talza walkway was open for business.

Echo: The new town centre multi-storey car park by the Odeon in Southend, still under construction in September 1967The new town centre multi-storey car park by the Odeon in Southend, still under construction in September 1967 (Image: Newsquest)