If you were looking to combine a night at the movies with an Italian meal in Watford, Merton Road was a popular destination for many years.

The former Empire Cinema showed films for around 80 years until it closed in the mid-1990s – and next door to it was Casa Roma Restaurant.

A Watford Observer photographer visited the restaurant 40 years ago this month and captured these images, while the picture of the cinema from our archive dates from 1978 when Grease was showing.

Watford Observer: The Empire CinemaThe Empire Cinema (Image: Watford Observer)

You can also scroll down this page to see some more recent images via Google Street View, showing what 80-82 Merton Road has been used for at various times since Casa Roma closed.

Watford Observer: The interior of Casa RomaThe interior of Casa Roma (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Observer: The premises had become Ahaar Indian restaurant by August 2008The premises had become Ahaar Indian restaurant by August 2008 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: By September 2012 it had become Rathiga RestaurantBy September 2012 it had become Rathiga Restaurant (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: It was a Nepalese and Indian restaurant by May 2017It was a Nepalese and Indian restaurant by May 2017 (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Observer: The premises in July 2021The premises in July 2021 (Image: Google Street View)