Shoppers in Saltaire are being urged to turn history detectives to help uncover the stories behind shops in the world heritage site.

The village’s shops past and present are part of the distinctive character and atmosphere of the model village and a new trail will be launched during this year’s Saltaire Festival to showcase their history.

However, festival organisers said there are still many mysteries and secrets to be revealed about the characters and businesses which have served the community over the decades.

Trail organiser Vanessa Pilny, of Saltaire Bookshop in Myrtle Place, said: “Local shops played a vital part of life in the old village of Saltaire at a time when there were no supermarkets or out-of-town superstores.

“They were places people met, bought all the things they needed and gossiped – a very different story from the huge supermarkets where everyone is in a rush to beat the queues at the checkout, fill their shopping trolleys and get home as quickly as possible.

“It’s been fascinating investigating the rich history of the shops. However, there are quite a few gaps in our knowledge, particularly between the 1950s and 2006.”

Using information from Saltaire historian Roger Clarke’s book, A Penny For Going, each shop on the trail will display what is known about its premises since it was built in the mid-1800s. The trail map can be downloaded from saltairebookshop.com and will be available at participating shops.

The trail will be open during this year’s Tenth Saltaire Festival, from Thursday, September 6, to Sunday, September 16, and as part of the event, Mr Clarke will talk about his book at 7pm on Monday, September 10, in the Shipley College Salt Building, Victoria Road.

The free event aims to provide the opportunity for people to discuss their memories and bring in their pictures.

Miss Pilny said: “We’d like to appeal to the public to send or bring their memories and photos. There are only about 14 old photos in our possession and given that there are over 70 shops in this small area, that’s a lot of missing images.

“Anything we get will be added to the Saltaire Archive stored by Shipley College and we are hoping that there will be another trail in the future highlighting the new information.”

The festival is launched at The Festival Party – Now We Are Ten at Caroline Street Social Club on Friday, September 7, featuring music from local band Dr Coxx, a DJ and supper.

Other highlights include an appearance by prolific writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie, as well as Carnegie Medal-winning author Ann Fine OBE, who became Children’s Laureate in 2001.

Adaptations of her books Bill’s New Frock and Goggle-Eyes, have been screened by the BBC and Twentieth Century Fox filmed her novel, Madame Doubtfire as Mrs Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams.

TV chef Stephanie Moon will give demonstrations at the Aagrah Food and Drink Festival on September 15, alongside international chefs.

For further information about the Tenth Saltaire Festival, visit saltairefestival.co.uk