This rather sorry and deserted scene will bring back memories for many readers as we continue our festive look back at High Street scenes of Watford from the past.

Many of us will be visiting the town centre to buy our gifts in the build up to December 25, but many of the shops we remember fondly have changed or disappeared altogether.

Read more: A bustling High Street scene outside Cawdells in the sixties

With the help of Watford Museum and its volunteer archivist Christine Orchard, we are looking back at some of those favourite shops and High Street scenes so many of us remember as the countdown to Christmas Day continues.

With an empty child’s ride outside, this picture of Cawdells Arcade dates from 1973 and looks to have been taken shortly after the department store closed its doors for the final time to make way for Charter Place.