This site is today the home of an American wholesale retail store but its original occupants may be remembered by some readers for a clock tower or the name it gave to a road junction.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we look back to the Cox & Co factory.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “A large white art deco factory with a distinctive clock tower, used to be on the Hartspring Industrial Estate just off the A41 where Costco is today. It was built in the late 1930s for Cox & Co.

Watford Observer: The clock tower when the site was occupied by Lin PacThe clock tower when the site was occupied by Lin Pac (Image: Watford Museum)

“It was a large building with a distinctive clock tower and some people may recall that the road junction was nicknamed ‘Cox’s Corner’. In later years, the factory was used by Lin Pac.

Watford Observer: A Cox & Co advert from the centenary edition of the Watford ObserverA Cox & Co advert from the centenary edition of the Watford Observer (Image: Watford Museum)

“I seem to recall that the building had been empty for many years before the whole site was cleared in the early 1990s.

Watford Observer: An aerial view of Costco where Cox & Co used to beAn aerial view of Costco where Cox & Co used to be (Image: Google Maps)

“Unfortunately, we only have rather grainy, aerial images, which I suspect were photographed by Aerofilms.

“The View looks across the site towards the A41.”

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos.