The quality of the customer service or what it sold are among the more popular reasons why shops from the past are often remembered – not usually because of the smell that came from it.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we recall a High Street coffee business.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “There was a shop in High Street near to St Mary's Church that people may recall. However, they might not remember it because they went in to buy anything, but because of the aroma that wafted up and down the road.

Watford Observer: The business pictured in 1987The business pictured in 1987 (Image: Bob Nunn Collection / Watford Museum)

“Importers Retail Salerooms Ltd (or Coffee Importers as it was commonly known) had been here in the early 1960s and remained up until the late 1980s.

Watford Observer: The site of the 'Coffee Importers' in August 2022The site of the 'Coffee Importers' in August 2022 (Image: Google Street View)

“Some much earlier occupants were members of the Downer family and Mr W H Syme, a Watford architect.”

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos