THE people of Middlesbrough are being asked to choose a 1950s shop for Beamish Museum.

An end-terrace shop from Bow Street, in Middlesbrough, will be rebuilt in the museum’s planned 1950s town as part of a £17m refurbishment project, Remaking Beamish.

A public vote in Middlesbrough will give people to chance to pick which shop will be housed in the terrace - electrical goods, a hairdresser, or a toy shop and doll hospital.

People will be able to cast their vote during events being held around the town, starting with Captain Cook Square Shopping Centre today from 9am to 5pm.

There will be displays of objects from Beamish’s collections representing each of the three options, which were shortlisted after research into Teesside shops in the 1950s.

An event will also be held at Hillstreet Shopping Centre on Saturday, September 3, with other locations to be added.

Lisa Peacock, Remaking Beamish project officer, said: “This shop will be a replica of the one in Bow Street, Middlesbrough, so we wanted people from the town to choose what type of shop it will be.

“We hope lots of people will come along to the events and find out more about the 1950s shops before choosing their favourite.

“We’d also love to hear people’s memories of shopping in Middlesbrough during the 1950s and see any photographs they may have.”

Beamish is also looking for more information about the original Bow Street shop. The only known photograph is from 1981, when it was a hairdresser’s, but it is still not known what it was during the 1950s.

The winning shop choice is due to be announced at Beamish Museum during October half term.

The Remaking Beamish project includes plans for a 1950s Town and farm and a Georgian coaching inn, where visitors can stay overnight. The museum has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £10.75million grant.

The 1950s Town plans include a cinema, community centre, cafe, shops and houses. Aged miners’ homes will be a centre for people living with dementia and their families and carers. The Georgian area of the museum, will also be expanded, with plans for a coaching inn.