Demolition in Dartford

The era of pedestrianisation and out of town shopping is about to hit charming old Dartford - as this film captures the beginnings of the town’s transformation

Starting with views of quiet streets and old shop fronts we see that some buildings have been earmarked for demolition. The wreckers then move in and gradually the building disappears. A policeman controls traffic at the junction beside the site. Christmas lights and a tree are put onto the vacant space. We get views of the town and see a number of other empty spaces awaiting development. There follow some domestic garden scenes and a visit to Mereworth Castle.

Since this film was made in the 1960s, there have been many changes to Dartford's town centre. The street featured in the film has been largely pedestrianised. Many of the old, and rather charming, shop fronts have been replaced by more modern buildings, though Holy Trinity church, which is also seen at various points in the film, survives to this day.