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.

The 28th part of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' recalls the opening of a cinema that later became a supermarket.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "This Odeon cinema was opened in St Albans Road, North Watford (opposite Bushey Mill Lane) on November 27, 1937. The opening film was Wings of the Morning, a Technicolour film, staring Henry Fonda.

"The cinema’s position was ideal, as there was lots of new housing within easy walking distance. This meant the area proved important for cinema owners and both Ritz and Odeon put in planning applications for new screens.

Watford Observer:

The interior of the Odeon in St Albans Road

"This cinema would have been a Ritz cinema but the promoter sold out to Odeon during construction. Sadly, the cinema seems not to have done well and was closed in May 1959 and the building purchased by Waitrose, who remained there until 1987."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. No booking is necessary but Covid prevention measures are still in place to keep visitors safe.