What do you remember about Great Yarmouth in the 1990s?

A trawl through our picture archive takes us back in time to a land of BHS and Rumbelows, the Radio One Roadshow, snorkelling at the old Marina Centre and not a mobile phone in sight.

It was an era that brought us the Spice Girls and Windows 95, Tony Blair and Britpop. A time when Britain seemed to draw closer to Europe with the opening of the Channel Tunnel and millions mourned the death of Princess Diana.

While some of the fashions - mostly baggy - have changed (or maybe even disappeared and come back) many of Yarmouth's attractions back then were the same as they are now.

We see people enjoying crazy golf, the circus at the Hippodrome, rides at the Pleasure Beach and a day at the races.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: BHS in Yarmouth in 1990BHS in Yarmouth in 1990 (Image: Archant)

Meanwhile, pictures of old High Street stalwarts BHS and Rumbelows are a sad reminder of how our town centre has changed since the 1990s.

A closer look at the TVs on sale shows a distinct lack of flat screens, and in that pre-streaming age, we'd have had to watch what was on, which was probably Friends or Dawson's Creek. Or the X-Files.

Either that or we'd rent a movie (on VHS) from the local video rental shop - remember those?

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Radio 1 Roadshow drew thousands to the beach during its heyday.The Radio 1 Roadshow drew thousands to the beach during its heyday. (Image: Archant Library)

The end of the decade also brought the curtain down on the popular Radio One Roadshow, which had been entertaining crowds at beach resorts around the UK since the 1970s.

It used to be the biggest thing to hit the seaside in the summer when the 65ft stage truck rolled into Yarmouth and parked up on the seafront, bringing a mix of musical A-listers with competitions, banter and practical jokes.

In its heyday, the roadshow drew thousands to Great Yarmouth before the BBC replaced it with a series of one-day festivals in 2000.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Racecourse, 22nd July 1992. Photo: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Racecourse, 22nd July 1992. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

But the photos also show something else. Or show by not showing at all, because glaring in their absence are mobile phones.

Not one of the people crowded on the Golden Mile or at the racecourse is staring at the now-ubiquitous handheld screen.

Which begs the questions: How did they know where they were going? How did they know the best restaurant to eat at? How did they... survive?

Answers on a postcard, please, to the Great Yarmouth Mercury, Regent Street, sorry, King Street, Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth late night Christmas shopping, 7th December 1995. Photo: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth late night Christmas shopping, 7th December 1995. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Leanna and Joseph Bradley on the galloping horses at the Pleasure Beach Dated 23 May 1997Leanna and Joseph Bradley on the galloping horses at the Pleasure Beach Dated 23 May 1997 (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Horse Racing Great Yarmouth Racecourse. Newtown Selling Handicap Stakes at Yarmouth races. Dated 19 September 1990Horse Racing Great Yarmouth Racecourse. Newtown Selling Handicap Stakes at Yarmouth races. Dated 19 September 1990 (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Christmas Shopping in Victoria Arcade at Great Yarmouth. Date: November 26, 1992.Christmas Shopping in Victoria Arcade at Great Yarmouth. Date: November 26, 1992. (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth port, 25 November 1991. Picture: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth port, 25 November 1991. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Beach patrol police at Great Yarmouth, 8th July 1993. Photo: Archant LibraryBeach patrol police at Great Yarmouth, 8th July 1993. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Yarmouth Sea FrontYarmouth Sea Front (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Yarmouth Sea FrontYarmouth Sea Front (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Golden mile in Yarmouth, dated around October 1990. Atlantis Tower. Photo: Archant LibraryThe Golden mile in Yarmouth, dated around October 1990. Atlantis Tower. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Yarmouth Sea FrontYarmouth Sea Front (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Marina Centre 'Sharks' Snorkel club, 09/03/1991. Picture: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Marina Centre 'Sharks' Snorkel club, 09/03/1991. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Marina Centre, six a side, 22/03/1992. Picture: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Marina Centre, six a side, 22/03/1992. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Marina Centre Energy Camp, 1997. Picture: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Marina Centre Energy Camp, 1997. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Reception class at St Mary and St Peter Catholic Primary School in Great Yarmouth, March 1996. Picture: Archant LibraryReception class at St Mary and St Peter Catholic Primary School in Great Yarmouth, March 1996. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Horse racing at Great Yarmouth, 5 July 1995. Picture: Archant LibraryHorse racing at Great Yarmouth, 5 July 1995. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Sea Life Centre opening at Great Yarmouth. Wroughton School choir sings sea shanties under the direction of Mrs Elizabeth Myhill. Dated 3 July 1990.Sea Life Centre opening at Great Yarmouth. Wroughton School choir sings sea shanties under the direction of Mrs Elizabeth Myhill. Dated 3 July 1990. (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Punch and Judy at a school in Great Yarmouth, picture taken March 20, 1992.Punch and Judy at a school in Great Yarmouth, picture taken March 20, 1992. (Image: Archant)