Watford: Former Barclays Bank

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 16 Feb 2008

You can just about pick out the words Barclays Bank in the grubby fascia above the ground floor level, and the word Bank carved in the stone lintel above the entrance on the corner of this attractive and historic building, which is at the junction of the High Street to the left and King Street to the right. There are plans to redevelop this whole block stretching down to Image in the distance. To be known as the Met Quarter the redevelopment would have both residential and commercial uses. However this building is not statutorily listed and was under threat of demolition during this redevelopment, until, for once, Watford Borough Council acknowledged its duty to preserve what little remains of historic buildings in the town, and stepped in to demand its retention. The most recent plans appear to be to still demolish the bank but to incorporate the retention of its façade into the new scheme. After Barclays vacated the building it may have been used as a pub or some other type of similar outlet.

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