Two people stop to look at a building being demolished almost 41 years ago but did they know they were witnessing a piece of Watford cinema history being reduced to rubble?

This picture from the Watford Observer archive was taken on September 29, 1982 and captures the end of the Carlton Cinema in Clarendon Road.

Located next to the Palace Theatre, the cinema opened in February 1921 after the conversion of a former roller skating rink.

Watford Observer: The Carlton Cinema next to the Palace Theatre in 1950.The Carlton Cinema next to the Palace Theatre in 1950. (Image: Bob Nunn Collection / Watford Museum)

A book charting Watford’s cinema history – A Last Complete Performance by Ivor Buckingham – recalls how the Carlton claimed some performance ‘firsts’ in the town. It was the first Watford cinema with sound films and the first to show 3-D movies.

The Rank organisation took a lease on the cinema in 1950 but continued to sub-let it until 1963. However, it then took control until deciding against renewing the lease in 1980.

Watford Observer: Films were shown at the cinema for almost 60 years.Films were shown at the cinema for almost 60 years. (Image: Watford Observer)

The cinema closed on July 19, 1980 and the building was used as a furniture showroom for a short time before its demolition two years later.