Lockdown has been an extra challenging time for our high street.

Shops, which were already struggling with a drop in footfall due to a rise in online shopping before the coronavirus crisis, were dealt a big blow when they were told to close temporarily in March.

Several stores did not reopen after lockdown restrictions for non-essential shops were lifted on June 15.

John Lewis confirmed on July 9 that it would close its Watford store for good. And just a month before, another big department store Debenhams announced it would not be reopening in intu Watford.

Aldo, which entered administration last month, has also permanently closed its store in Watford - according to intu's website.

Against this backdrop, we asked readers on Facebook: If you could bring one shop back to the high street, what would it be?

And this is what they said:

1. John Lewis

Hillingdon Times:

The store in intu Watford

The big department store, which was situated in intu Watford, is much-loved because it has been in the town, under different names, for 140 years.

But after it closed its doors during the coronavirus lockdown, John Lewis confirmed on July 9 that it would not be reopening the Watford store.

John Lewis said its decision to close its store in Watford was because the store was "financially challenged" despite paying no rent because it had a virtual freehold.

A petition has been set up calling for the department store chain to reconsider its decision.

2. Woolworths

Hillingdon Times:

Top: Woolworths at 124 High Street in 1930 and 1964

Bottom: The store at the corner of High Street and King Street in 1981 and 1991

Woolworths - also known as 'Woolies' - is one of quintessential high street stores. The chain sold a range of goods, including toys, clothes, kitchen and dining equipment, gardening supplies and pick-and-mix sweets.

But it closed more than 800 of its stores after it entered administration in 2008.

It had two stores in Watford – in the High Street and in St Albans Road – and one in St Andrew's Road in South Oxhey. The store in South Oxhey was among the first 200 branches to close, just two days after Christmas in 2008. The Watford stores closed on January 2, 2009.

Woolworths first came to Watford during World War One, when the fish and poultry shop owned by AE Smith at 124 High Street was replaced by "FW Woolworth and Co, bazaar" in 1916.

During a modernisation programme in the 1980s, a new shop was built on the corner of High Street and King Street (where McDonald's now is).

However, sales were not as high as were hoped, and it closed on January 1, 1990.

Watford was without a High Street Woolies for ten years, until the shop near Clarendon Road opened in 2000 (the current Wilko site).

3. BHS

Hillingdon Times:

BHS in Watford closed in August 2016

BHS (British Home Stores) was described as a "community shop" that was very much a part of the town's heritage.

It went into administration in 2016 and its Watford store in High Street closed on August 24.

The chain, which also had a store in St Albans, sold a range of items, including clothes, household items, furniture, electronics, groceries, and beauty products.

The former BHS site at 83-87 High Street is now a Sports Direct store. The sports retail chain bought the freehold of the site in 2017.

4. Clements

Hillingdon Times:

Clements in the Parade, Watford

The original Clements department store opened in the Parade in 1898 and closed down in 2004.

But the name Clements did not disappear. It returned to its original premises, which had become TJ Hughes, when Simon Shoebottom opened the Clements furniture department on the lower ground floor in 2007.

Alan and Clive Brooks then opened a Clements carpet department in 2008.

But the final remnants of the store - Clements Carpets - closed its doors in 2018 due to poor trade and finances.

5. Mothercare

Hillingdon Times:

Mothercare store, Watford

The retail chain, which specialises in products for women and children, announced late last year that it would close all its stores as it entered administration.

Months before the chain collapsed, the store in Watford Arches had been unable to agree a new level of rent and said it would close in July. But it reopened a week later after an agreement was made.

Although stores have closed, the retailer's products can still be bought in Boots.

6. The old Watford Market

Hillingdon Times:

Charter Place before it was demolished

It's not really a shop, but many readers have said they miss (and prefer) the old indoor market in Charter Place over the new one.

Originally placed along a road running uphill from a ford of the River Colne, adjacent to the soon-to-be-built St Mary’s Church, the market was where the settlement of Watford began.

The market eventually moved to a suite under Charter Place, where it remained until 2014, when the shopping centre was redeveloped.

The new market, currently situated near the flyover, has been described as being "not inviting" and tucked away.

Other high street shops readers said they missed were The Reject Shop, Bath & Body works, C&A, Our Price, Chelsea Girl and Beatties.