The changing nature of retail means high streets are always evolving – and Watford is no different.

Using Google Maps, we’ve taken a look at how the centre of town looked in 2009 and 2012 and recall some of the shops and businesses that have either ceased trading or moved to different premises in the town.

Take a trip down memory lane on a journey in 15 pictures that begins at the junction of High Street and Clarendon Road and travels past Charter Place and the Harlequin Centre to its conclusion at the ‘blue pyramid’ at the corner of Water Lane.

Along the way you’ll see some major high street brands of the past, together with some smaller shops you may have forgotten once visiting.

Watford Observer: A view across High Street from the junction with Clarendon Road. These four shops look very different today (October 2012)A view across High Street from the junction with Clarendon Road. These four shops look very different today (October 2012) (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Waiting for a bus outside Poundland and an empty Peacocks store (October 2012)Waiting for a bus outside Poundland and an empty Peacocks store (October 2012) (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: On the opposite side of the High Street 11 years ago was this shop and bar (October 2012)On the opposite side of the High Street 11 years ago was this shop and bar (October 2012) (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Staying on the same side of the road, do you remember this restaurant and toy shop?Staying on the same side of the road, do you remember this restaurant and toy shop? (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: This part of High Street looks very different since the extension to atria was builtThis part of High Street looks very different since the extension to atria was built (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: One of the pedestrian entrances to Charter Place in October 2012One of the pedestrian entrances to Charter Place in October 2012 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Did you buy a card from here? This, and all remaining pictures, are from September 2009 Did you buy a card from here? This, and all remaining pictures, are from September 2009 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Our 'walk' down High Street continues and takes us to this former favourite department storeOur 'walk' down High Street continues and takes us to this former favourite department store (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: This pub was opposite BHSThis pub was opposite BHS (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: A reassuring high street presence that remains from 14 years agoA reassuring high street presence that remains from 14 years ago (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: This shop was looking for new occupiers in September 2009This shop was looking for new occupiers in September 2009 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Did you shop in this GAP store?Did you shop in this GAP store? (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Watford's biggest shopping centre was still called the Harlequin in 2009Watford's biggest shopping centre was still called the Harlequin in 2009 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: You may have visited this electronics shop in the past?You may have visited this electronics shop in the past? (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: Our journey ends at the 'blue pyramid', which was empty in September 2009Our journey ends at the 'blue pyramid', which was empty in September 2009 (Image: Google Street View)