Essoldo Court in Kings Street was once Top Rank bingo hall

These pictures of a packed hall at the Top Rank club in Kings Street were taken by a snapper from the Watford Observer 35 years ago in January 1989.

One of the most recognisable buildings in Watford, it had started life as the Central Hall cinema and opened in December 1913.

Eyes were glued on the bingo cards (Image: Watford Observer)

It was renamed the Regal after changing hands in 1929 and, following renovations, became the New Regal. But the former cinema is perhaps best known for the name it was given – the Essoldo – following another change of ownership in the 1950s.

Number 22 has just been called (Image: Watford Observer)

• Looking back at a busy town centre street before traffic banned
• A glimpse inside a popular pet shop in the past
• Looking back at the last of the original town centre cinemas

It remained as a cinema until the late 1960s when it became a bingo hall.

Although the design of the exterior has changes, the building remains in use to this day and is now a block of flats named Essoldo Court.

How the Kings Street bingo hall looked from the outside (Image: Bob Nunn/Watford Museum)

Has she had a win? (Image: Watford Observer)

The Central Hall Picture House c1926 (Image: Watford Museum)

The building is now residential flats (Image: Google)