Anthony Matthews

2 days ago | watfordobserver.co.uk | Anthony Matthews

Four of the town centre shops from the past we're looking back at today. (Image: Watford Observer/Watford Museum) These photos show just some of the countless shops that were the heartbeat of Watford town centre in the past. From BHS to Trewins, Clements to Woolworths, many of us will recall popping into these very stores during our weekly shop. While some of these names may still exist elsewhere in the town, the specific branches pictured here are now part of our cherished past.

2 days ago | watfordobserver.co.uk | Anthony Matthews

Andrew French was a guest on talkSPORT’s EFL All Access show hosted by Hugh Woozencroft and was asked his views on Tom Cleverley’s sacking, Gino Pozzo’s subsequent statement and who the owner will task with the role next. “This one was more of a surprise because of who it was,” Andrew said of the decision to axe Cleverley after Watford finished 14th in the Championship.

3 days ago | watfordobserver.co.uk | Anthony Matthews

The main entrance to the Harlequin and the Food Court. (Image: Watford Museum) The decision to rename Watford’s main shopping centre has evoked plenty of memories of the shops and facilities we enjoyed inside the Harlequin during its early years. Owners SGS Group announced last week that atria Watford will be returning to its much-loved original name this summer in response to public feedback.

4 days ago | watfordobserver.co.uk | Anthony Matthews

The comedy star caused plenty of laughs when he held aloft these sausages 40 years ago. (Image: Watford Observer) We don’t know what was being said, but it was clearly amusing as one of the best-known faces on British television held up a string of bangers when he visited a popular Watford butchers 40 years ago.

4 days ago | watfordobserver.co.uk | Anthony Matthews

The cars were queuing to get into Church car park. (Image: Watford Museum) Love it or loathe it, the ring road is part of everyday life in Watford but it was not built all at once, The Watford Observer is delighted to share pictures from the archive at Watford Museum and this week we look back to this view of Exchange Road. The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “The ring road was constructed in stages with the last section being near the High Street station.