If you lived or worked in Watford and wanted to buy some flowers or get a piece of clothing dry cleaned you may have visited one of these businesses in the past.

The Watford Observer has again joined forces 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 this small row of shops.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “We don't have many images of the buildings on Clarendon Road, which were almost opposite the Palace Theatre. This little snap dates from the late 1970s or early 1980s.

“The building would probably have been designed for four shops, but it seems only three were retail outlets.

Watford Observer: The shops were redeveloped into this buildingThe shops were redeveloped into this building (Image: Google Street View)

“At the time of this photo, two well-known businesses were Dorothy Heathcote florists and Swift one-hour dry cleaners.

“Both businesses moved to Market Street probably at the time that the site was redeveloped.”

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