Sadly - for me - I’m in an era of my life when I am passing certain landmarks, and I’ve recently been to two significant reunions.

One related to my first full-time job and the other my grammar school. These events inevitably lead us to reflect on what has changed over time.

At the work reunion, 25 out of an intake of 65 met to mark 40 years since we joined Arthur Andersen & Co as trainee accountants, on what was then one of the top graduate salaries - £2,200 per annum.

In 2015 this group was much less formal than the very suited and booted one from 40 years ago. The business dress code for men has thankfully become much more varied and relaxed than the obligatory dark pinstriped suit, white shirt and tie.

Goals achieved

The atmosphere was less competitive, as it was clear that many people felt they had already achieved their goals in life.

In 1975, starting paid employment, we were comparatively poor, the national economy was still in a dire state as it emerged from the effects of the three-day week and jobs even for graduates were very hard to find.

Our value systems seemed different. In 1975 we were obsessed with making money and getting promoted. Today a couple of people run not-for-profit organisations, some work part-time and others have even retired.

”The quaint bookstore near the cathedral had shut and both of the record shops that we all used to hang out around as teenagers had gone”

Peter Williams, Boohoo

The second reunion marked 50 years since I went to Peter Symonds Grammar School in Winchester.

After leaving the railway station I noticed how many of the pubs had closed - the under-age drinking pub where I played table football was now an office, for example.

I then walked down the high street. In 1965 there were only two tearooms/coffee bars for young people to congregate in - the Cadena and the Buttercross. Today I passed what must have been 20 or so casual dining places - including a sushi bar. In Winchester.

Disappearing chains

Many of the store chains aren’t there any more. The Peter Robinson store was converted to a Topshop many years ago, but even that was now closed, presumably because it was too small to be viable today.

The quaint bookstore near the cathedral had shut and both the record shops that we all used to hang out around as teenagers had gone.

Surprisingly the independent sports store, Wilds, was still there. The Next shop had moved and I remembered the amazement of the local consumers when one of the first – and at that time revolutionary – Next stores, designed by Terence Conran, had opened with light-wood floors, bright lighting and contemporary visual merchandising to replace the dated Hepworth’s men’s tailors.

My impression was that the life of the city in the evening had improved because the leisure content was now more balanced, away from the raucous pubs and towards restaurants and casual dining places.

Looking back over the years you realise how much retail and business has changed – mainly for the good.

  • Peter Williams is chairman of Boohoo.com and Mister Spex