Memories of British Home Stores in Watford High Street

The British Home Stores signs in the shop window advertised the shop was opening its doors to customers for the first time at 9am on Thursday, September 12, 1963.

Two days beforehand, a Watford Observer photographer visited the store to get a sneak peek as staff put the finishing touches to preparations before the opening.

• Memories of the old market clothing stalls
• Snaps unearthed of Watford High Street at day and night 60 years ago

• The clue that reveals the location of this former shop

A look inside the shop restaurant before it had served its first meal to a customer (Image: Watford Observer)

These pictures from our archive show the shiny new restaurant and areas of the store that plenty of readers will remember, including the school uniform department.

The new shop was opening on Thursday, September 12, 1963 (Image: Watford Observer)

The store was opened for more than 50 years (Image: Watford Observer)