Disco discord

A new basement nightclub for up to 700 people is set to open in Watford’s town centre. The decision to allow three clubs to open well into the early hours at weekends is part of a drive to bring “life after dark” into the heart of the town. But concerns have already been raised about the environmental damage another club would cause. Residents have objected to the 4,000 sq ft venue, which will cost £1million and be open for business at Gade House by the spring. Police estimate as many as 5,000 people would be milling around the streets after dark. The large increase is due to the opening of Yates’ wine lodge, the Colosseum on Saturday evenings, and the new club as well as regulars who attend Kudos.

[August 4, 1995]

Last tower block goes

A ball and chain demolished the last tower block in Three Rivers on Friday. Silkin House, in Ainsdale Road, South Oxhey, which was built in 1964, was pulled down to make way for 48 two-bedroom houses, which are being built as a result of a partnership between Three Rivers District Council and a housing association. The only other tower block in the district, Corbett House in South Oxhey, was demolished last year.

[August 4, 1995]

Move to sell music shop

One of Watford’s oldest shops is in the hands of receivers, with the threat of all 14 staff losing their jobs. Receivers have been called in to run 50-year-old Hammonds of Watford in Queens Road because it has continued to incur serious losses. The shop, which is divided into audio-visual and photographic divisions, is still trading and the receivers hope to sell the sections as going concerns. Stalwarts of the Watford music scene are not optimistic about a deal being struck to save the business and are saddened by what they see as the probable closure.

[August 11, 1995]

Cash kiss of life

A £1million rescue package – including six-day opening – to stop the rot at Watford Market was proposed this week. The borough council was told the 20-year-old market, in Charter Place, would die unless a huge investment was made. Consultants were called in by Watford Council to study all aspects of the market and its future and concluded its dingy image needed drastic improvements. A working group of councillors and traders discussed whether to invest in the market, or opt for “death by standing still” at their meeting on Monday. They unanimously agreed the best option would be to spend about £910,000 on redesigning and refurbishing the hall, opening six days a week and creating a café/food court.

[August 18, 1995]

Fans buzz to Hornets

Thousands of Hornet fans buzzed around their heroes on Tuesday when Watford Football Club staged its first open day for three years. More than 2,500 people made the most of the opportunity to meet the players at the Vicarage Road stadium and tour the stands and dressing rooms. Players gave a demonstration of a training session and signed autographs. Marketing assistant Mr Luther Blissett described the day as a great success.

[August 18, 1995]

Way is clear for film studios

Proposals that would make Watford the Hollywood of Europe – bringing thousands of jobs to the town – came a step closer after a Department of Environment ruling. A decision on whether to accept plans from Third Millennium Studios to build a £42million film and television studio at Leavesden Aerodrome is expected next week. The ambitious project would bring 2,600 full-time jobs and 700 part-time jobs to the 280-acre site where the latest James Bond film GoldenEye was recently filmed.

[August 25, 1995]

Apostrophe row

The bitter row over the spelling of Kings Langley continues to be unresolved for campaigner Ian Senior, despite the parish council’s decision not to change ‘Kings’ to ‘King’s’ on the grounds of cost. Mr Senior first proposed adding an apostrophe as part of his Liberal Democrat nomination paper during the Kings Langley Parish Council elections earlier this year. He claims the punctuation mark is essential to show the village was once owned by the King, and has highlighted his ongoing campaign in a recent newsletter.

[August 25, 1995]

What was happening in the world in August 1995?

• Croatian forces launch Operation Storm against rebel Republic of Serbian Krajina forces, which subsequently ceases to exist as a political entity (August 4)

• Thousands gather in Hiroshima for the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city (August 6)

• Bermudans reject independence in a referendum (August 16)

• Microsoft releases Windows 95 (August 24)

• Georgian head of state Eduard Shevardnadze survives an assassination attempt (August 29)

• NATO launches Operation Deliberate Force against Bosnian Serb forces (August 29)