British Home Stores, Dixons, Dorothy Perkins, Littlewoods, Milletts – these were among the well-known store chains you could have visited if you were shopping in Watford High Street 40 years ago.

A Watford Observer photographer visited the town centre in November 1984 and captured photos of many of the town centre shops that will still be familiar names to readers, even though plenty have ceased trading or moved to a different location in the town.

From the Pond to the bottom end of the High Street in the days before the town’s retail landscape changed forever with the opening of the Harlequin Centre, take a journey through these pictures from our archive and see how many of the shops you can remember.

Watford Observer: The shops overlooking the Pond in 1984The shops overlooking the Pond in 1984 (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Home Charm, Bricks and Barratts were among the names in this part of High StreetHome Charm, Bricks and Barratts were among the names in this part of High Street (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Opposite, partially obscured by a tree in this photo, is Gade HouseOpposite, partially obscured by a tree in this photo, is Gade House (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: It's almost 20 years since it closed but Clements remains fondly remembered by many people in the townIt's almost 20 years since it closed but Clements remains fondly remembered by many people in the town (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, James Walker jewellers and WH Smith with the High Street bus stops outsideDorothy Perkins, Wallis, James Walker jewellers and WH Smith with the High Street bus stops outside (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Further down High Street were Ratners, Milletts, Granada, Dixons and RymanFurther down High Street were Ratners, Milletts, Granada, Dixons and Ryman (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: It was possible to park in High Street in 1984It was possible to park in High Street in 1984 (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Saxone shoe shopSaxone shoe shop (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Our Price records was among the shops located on the opposite side of the road to LittlewoodsOur Price records was among the shops located on the opposite side of the road to Littlewoods (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The Ketts dome is in the distance above where the entrance to atria is todayThe Ketts dome is in the distance above where the entrance to atria is today (Image: Watford Observer)