See how businesses in Bury St Edmunds, Thetford, Sudbury and Clare were celebrating Christmas in 1996 with our nostalgic look back

Cast your mind back to 1996. Those of us alive back then may remember some of the major news events of the year.

It was a year noted for the Dunblane massacre, the divorces of the Duke and Duchess of York and the Prince and Princess of Wales (Charles and Diana), along with the birth of Dolly the clone sheep.

On December 22, 1996, 47-year-old former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton became the first player to make 1,000 football league appearances.

And on the radio airwaves, December 1996 started with Peter Andre at the top of the singles chart with I Feel You, followed by Boyzone’s A Different Beat, then Dunblane Knockin on Heaven’s Door and finally the Spice Girls took the Christmas number one spot with 2 Become 1.

The top movies of the month included 101 Dalmatians and The Long Kiss Goodnight, while the most-wanted toy topping every child’s Christmas list was a Toy Story Buzz Lightyear action figure.

Closer to home, businesses in Suffolk were gearing up for the 1996 festive season – with the Bury Free Press and Suffolk Free Press photographers out and about capturing scenes.

We start our photographic look back to 1996 with Christmas preparations on the Rougham Estate.

In Clare, Liz Fay was ready for the occasion.

The Meat Inn, of Sudbury, was fully stocked ready for the Christmas rush.

And Robert Cooper, of Sudbury’s North Street Pharmacy, had gift sets at the ready for shoppers in 1996.

Poll and Withey, in Bury St Edmunds, looked to be selling double glazing in 1996.

While Jim Mallett and Derek Norman, of Breckland Mower Centre, had all your mower needs.

Gainsborough House, in Sudbury, was also fully stocked for the festive season.

Staff at Skin Styles, in Thetford, were in costume.

Colin and Janet Darkins, of The Bread Bin, in Woolpit, had all the festive baked goods you could desire.

At Peyton Plaice, in Sudbury, Angie Finch, Paul Devine and Beth Stannard were frying as usual throughout December.

And Bury Golf Range and Discount Store had all the golfing gifts you might need.

The Games Zone, in Sudbury, was fully stocked.

While The Royal Tandoori, in Stowmarket, was ready for festive parties.

And Ames Rover, in Thetford, had the latest models in the showroom if you were minded to give a very generous gift.

Linda Faiers, of Sampsons Blinds, in Stowmarket, had the latest 1996 window fashions ready.

Jan Garden, Jane Turpin and Denise Plant were gearing up for the festive rush at Cuts and Curls, of Clare.

Val Rolph had all your china needs at Lady Jane, in Long Melford.

Christine Debenham, of Risby Garden Centre, was ready for Christmas 1996.

While Kevin Earp and Matthew Baker were working at The Triangle golf shop, just outside Bury.

The Bull, at Woolpit, was prepared for festive parties in 1996.

And Maggie Bereton, of Mags Rags, in Long Melford, was hoping for a busy shopping season.

Graham Kinsley was pictured with all the motoring goodies available at Edmindson Ford, in Bury.

Yellow Dots Sports Club, in Sudbury, was urging people not to neglect their fitness over Christmas 1996.

As the team at Just Jane beauty salon, in Long Melford, prepared for a busy time.

And Roberta Carradine was working at Barry Carradine, in Long Melford, over the festive season.

Here is Sara Eslor, of Daydreams, in Langton Place.

And our photographers were also at Nettas, of Sudbury.

Nick Bensley is pictured with some of the latest technologies available at Stannards, in Stowmarket.

Meanwhile, Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre, is pictured at Christmas 1996, back when the centre was still bustling.

And finally, the Suffolk Hotel, in Buttermarket, Bury, was in the process of closing down in December 1996.