Whether it is Clements, Woolworths or more recently Debenhams and John Lewis, there are a whole host of shops that once traded in Watford town centre that have sadly shut their doors forever.

We looked back at many of these – and some of the High Street scenes from years gone by – in the build-up to Christmas with the help of Watford Museum and its volunteer archivist Christine Orchard.

This is the first time though, that all those images have been shared together, so if you remember buying a kettle in Ketts or Currys, or bought a model in Beatties, scroll down this page and remember those shops and scenes we’ve loved and lost.

Watford Observer:

Hammonds music shop on the corner of Water Lane. Picture: Christine Orchard private collection

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A postcard of Woolworths in the High Street c1970

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Ketts, on the corner of Queens Road, where the entrance to Atria Watford now stands

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The old High Street branch of Woolworths. Picture: Greville

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A view of the High Street from July 1995, showing British Home Stores and Marks & Spencer on the right. Picture: Bob Nunn Collection

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The former Habitat store in High Street

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A bustling scene outside Cawdells in 1962. Picture: Bob Nunn Collection

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A deserted Cawdells Arcade in 1973

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The entrance to Charter Place from High Street

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A 1970's postcard view of High Street from Market Place

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High Street viewed from between Clarendon Road and Market Place

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A picture taken in November 1989 showing Currys on the corner of Clarendon Road. Picture: Bob Nunn Collection

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Boots was located on the corner of Market Street before it moved into what is now Atria Watford

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Clements, on the left, as seen from the corner of Upton Road in 1968

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A postcard published in 1986 showing Clements from the flyover

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Beatties in The Parade. Picture: Bob Nunn Collection

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Trewins in Queen's Road in 1977. Picture: Bob Nunn Collection

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Another view of Trewins in a deserted Queen's Road. Picture: Christin