Memories of Charter Place construction and High Street in 1970s

A Watford Observer photographer captured the scene as a dark truck pulled up on the pavement outside a building site in High Street. This was to become one of the pedestrian entrances to Charter Place.

Construction of the new shopping complex – Watford’s biggest ever regeneration scheme at the time – was already well underway as the structure taking shape at the top of the picture shows.

• Recalling the village pub that changed name to Harry's
• The Watford nightclub stage where legends performed

A view of Clements department store (Image: Watford Observer)

These images from our archive were taken on June 28, 1975 and also capture some scenes that will be familiar to many readers, including a view of the town centre featuring Clements and another at the junction of Kings Street where atria Watford stands today.

Ketts electrical store stands where the entrance to atria Watford is today (Image: Watford Observer)

A view of the town centre many will remember (Image: Watford Observer)

A view at the top of High Street with Gade House on the left (Image: Watford Observer)