The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.

Part 46 of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back to the construction of a new shopping complex in the town - Charter Place.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "In the early 1970s, Watford's biggest ever redevelopment scheme began construction.

Harrow Times:

The High Street entrance to Charter Place in the mid-1970s

"Named Charter Place, it included a new market hall, shops, a open space for relaxing, and parking for 800 cars. Also in the plans were facilities for the YMCA. The new scheme was projected to cost £5 million.

Harrow Times:

The fountain in Charter Place

"This view show the main pedestrian entrance from the High Street during building work. This High Street site had been occupied by Cawdell's department store and its demolition opened up the area. Today it is filled again by Las Iguanas."

Harrow Times:

How the entrance to Charter Place looked in 2004

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.