The summer of 1990 was an exciting time for shoppers in Watford. The first phase of a new shopping centre had been completed and one of the town’s most-loved retailers was preparing to open its new store inside it.

Yesterday we looked back to Sunday, August 12, 1990 when staff at Trewins were busy transferring stock from its premises in Queens Road into a sparkling new store in the Harlequin Centre.

The following day a Watford Observer photographer visited the new shop to get a behind the scenes glimpse of how it looked as work continued to get it ready to welcome shoppers for the first time.

Watford Observer: Making sure the furniture section is readyMaking sure the furniture section is ready (Image: Watford Observer)

Take a look through these 20 pictures from our archive and look back at some of the products on sale at Trewins when it opened in the Harlequin almost 33 years ago.

Watford Observer: Polishing the rails by the escalatorPolishing the rails by the escalator (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Management get ready to welcome shoppersManagement get ready to welcome shoppers (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: It was a very busy time for Trewins staffIt was a very busy time for Trewins staff (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: These mannequins still needed dressingThese mannequins still needed dressing (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Looking down on menswear and kitchen wearLooking down on menswear and kitchen wear (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: A glimpse of the garden furniture departmentA glimpse of the garden furniture department (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Stacking towels on the shelvesStacking towels on the shelves (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Did you buy a food mixer from the shop?Did you buy a food mixer from the shop? (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Or maybe you bought furniture for your baby?Or maybe you bought furniture for your baby? (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Checking on the lampsChecking on the lamps (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Rolls of material ready for saleRolls of material ready for sale (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Some of the women's wear that would be on saleSome of the women's wear that would be on sale (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Getting the displays ready ahead of opening timeGetting the displays ready ahead of opening time (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The kitchenware departmentThe kitchenware department (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: There were no shortage of gifts for sale at TrewinsThere were no shortage of gifts for sale at Trewins (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Ornaments and flowersOrnaments and flowers (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Taking a break for some exerciseTaking a break for some exercise (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: Making sure everything was ready on timeMaking sure everything was ready on time (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: These escalators carried thousands of shoppers between the floorsThese escalators carried thousands of shoppers between the floors (Image: Watford Observer)