RENOVATION work at a sandwich shop in Tranent High Street has brought memories flooding back for the community after it revealed a sign from a time gone by.

Work is being carried out on the shopfront of the Snack Shak in the town centre with support from Tranent Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).

And as it got underway, the sign for the original shop, which dates back to the 1880s, was unveiled along with some of the original store front.

Established in 1888, Laidlaw & Son began as a general draper and outfitters.

As it expanded, the shop, where the sign has been revealed, is understood to have been used as the men’s department, with a second nighbouring shopfront offering services to women and children.

The original shop was, it boasted, “celebrated for superior dyeing and cleaning of ladies’ and gents’ garments, curtains and other furnishings”.

In more recent years it became known locally as the place to get Ross High School blazers among other items of clothing.

East Lothian Museum Service records report the business continued into the 1970s when it became known as James Laidlaw & Son (Drapers) Limited.

The unveiling of the old sign sparked a wave of memories for people on social media as locals took pictures of the sign and reminisced about the shop.

One said: “Nice to see the Laidlaw sign as it brings back so many memories”, while another recalled: “It was a class shop, a bit like Grace Brothers.”

The CARS team met with the owner of the Snack Shak and architect this week to discuss the way forward after the unexpected discovery. A spokesperson said: “It was a surprise to find and we are delighted. Ann Patterson, the owner, is now having a rethink about the decor. It would be nice to retain the old shop sign and front as much as possible.”