Watford Observer

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:39:05 +0000
No trains on Watford Junction overground line all weekend
Watford Junction passengers will face disruption this weekend as the entire Lioness Line is closed for maintenance work.

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000
Village pub owner's pride after taking over second venue
Zoe Eliasson, part owner of The Boot, in Sarratt, feeling 'proud of myself' after 'challenging' first few months also operating The Cock Inn.

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000
Known Harry Potter filming locations as Leavesden production continues
Filming for HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is based at Leavesden Studios but has also been heading out for many location shoots, including in Hertfordshire.

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000
5 of the best day trips two hours away from Hertfordshire you can enjoy
From the Kent village of Chilham to the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, discover five of the best day trips less than two hours from Hertfordshire.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:15:00 +0000
Herts child rapist gets 16 years' prison for numerous sex offences
A child rapist from Hertfordshire has been jailed for 16 years over numerous offences dating back to 2003.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:00:00 +0000
Everything we know after 'knife attack' unearths Watford 'brothel'
Everything we know so far and the latest update from police after a "brothel" was discovered following a "knife attack" in Watford.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000
195-home plan heads to appeal despite three refusals and 5,000 objections
Despite three Hertsmere Borough Council refusals and more than 5,000 objections, plans for 195 homes in Radlett are heading to appeal.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:35:00 +0000
Girl, 4, who stopped breathing due to genetic condition to front concert
A Watford girl who stopped breathing due to a rare condition will front a star-studded concert for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:47:42 +0000
New supermarket applies to open in Watford town centre
A recently vacated unit in Watford town centre could become a new Asian supermarket, according to a licencing application.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000
Hertfordshire issued yellow weather warning with heavy rain expected
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for part of Hertfordshire this week.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:30:00 +0000
Brutal slingshot attack leaves woman's head 'pouring with blood' in road rage row
A woman's head "poured with blood" after a slingshot-wielding thug fired a marble through a car window before threatening to kill her partner.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:01:21 +0000
Budget a 'slap in the face' to disabled people told they can't have luxury
Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:25:18 +0000
Town centre shop fears closure amid lack of volunteers
The owner of a Watford town centre charity furniture shop has said it could be forced to reduce its operating days or even close permanently amid a lack of volunteers.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:26:00 +0000
Latest asylum seeker numbers in Herts hotels revealed
Latest Home Office data has revealed how many migrants are being housed in hotels across Hertfordshire, including in Watford, Three Rivers, Dacorum and Hertsmere.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:15:00 +0000
Chicken farm animal welfare fears 'taken seriously' as probe underway
Trading Standards are investigating further welfare concerns at a chicken farm after the death of a donkey earlier this month.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:49:40 +0000
Fault causes two days of cancellations on Watford Junction rail line
A railway line from Watford Junction is expected to be cancelled until the end of the day after a fault was first reported yesterday morning.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:24:39 +0000
'Urgent review' of 'accident hotspot' junction to go ahead after crash
An “urgent” review of safety measures at an “accident hotspot” A405 junction will go ahead after recent crashes.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:36:53 +0000
PM visits Bushey to speak to town's Jewish community
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was in Bushey yesterday to meet members of the area’s Jewish community.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:32:00 +0000
Detached 1930s house with 'bar room' for sale in Watford
A fully modernised three-bedroom detached home on Horseshoe Lane, Watford, is for sale for £800,000.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000
Mosque plan support dwarfs objections as Highways gives green light
Highways have given the ok over traffic impacts as support comments outnumber objections to a mosque plan for the former St Thomas United Reformed Church.

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:50:00 +0000
BLACK FRIDAY - 15% off You Garden’s top sellers
Don’t miss out on You Garden’s Black Friday offers which start today!

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:12:00 +0000
Herts Police wanted list: eight people added this month
These eight people have been added to the Herts Police wanted list this month, with their faces shared by the force.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:06:00 +0000
Black Friday: 14 brilliant deals on offer at Harlequin Watford
Ahead of Black Friday, we have rounded up some of the deals you can find at Watford's Harlequin shopping centre.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000
The beautiful Watford house where birds used to nest
Sparrow Pot Lodge was part of the Cassiobury Estate and stood where Whippendell Wood car park is just off Grove Mill Lane.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:11:44 +0000
New burger restaurant opening in Hemel tomorrow
Burger chain Big Juicy Burger is set to open a new restaurant in Hemel Hempstead tomorrow (November 28).

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:48:55 +0000
Big-name retailer opens Harlequin store
Watford's Harlequin shopping centre has a new arrival after White Stuff opened a store.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000
KPop Demon Hunters live show coming to Watford Colosseum
A KPop Demon Hunters live tribute show is coming to Watford Colosseum, inspired by the hit Netflix film.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 13:20:00 +0000
Inside look at new Browns restaurant opening TOMORROW
Bushey's new Browns restaurant has shared an inside look ahead of opening tomorrow.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:37:00 +0000
'Nightmare' HMO denied retrospective planning permission
Three Rivers District Council has refused an application for retrospective planning permission at a Croxley Green HMO that has been branded a "nightmare" by neighbours.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:50:00 +0000
'Meat cleaver' attacker admits GBH in early hours near school
The Bushey “meat cleaver” attacker has admitted to wounding with intent at St Albans Crown Court after a manhunt last month.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:05:49 +0000
Rush-hour crash in Watford sees cyclist taken to hospital
A cyclist was taken to hospital with "slight" injuries after a crash in Watford on Wednesday morning (November 26).

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000
30-foot Christmas tree unveiled at Harlequin Watford
Harlequin Watford has unveiled its 30-foot Community Christmas Tree, decorated with festive artwork from pupils at Beechfield School, Bromet Primary and Kingsway Junior, celebrating creativity and community spirit for a third year.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:41:00 +0000
Budget draws mixed response as Watford weighs in
Businesses, residents and politicians from in and around Watford have been having their say on the 2025 Budget, delivered by Rachel Reeves yesterday afternoon.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000
Police still looking for attacker who 'punched man unconscious' at restaurant
No arrests have been made as the investigation continues after a man was knocked out in High Street, Rickmansworth, restaurant Tuk Tuk Pan Asian.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:35:00 +0000
Café wins battle to save 'beloved' outdoor decking after 'wave of support'
A Watling Street, Radlett, café has won its battle to save “beloved” outdoor decking after a “wave of support”.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:15:00 +0000
New Browns opens tomorrow as early impressions very positive
Browns will formally open its hotly anticipated new location in Bushey Heath for bookings tomorrow.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:26:15 +0000
Police seize souped-up bicycle ridden 'at speed' through Watford
The Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit seized a souped-up bicycle in Watford that was capable of travelling at “nearly 40mph”.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:48:00 +0000
Adjustamatic’s riser recliner chairs could help arthritis sufferers
Particularly painful in the cooler months, according to Arthritis Action, there are thought to be 10 million people with some form of arthritis in the UK… the most common cause of disability.

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000
Two towns near Watford named among Britain's five least affordable
Two towns near Watford, Radlett and Gerrards Cross, have been named among the five least affordable in Britain.

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:50:00 +0000
Boulders blunder 'bulldozed' green space laws as dozens may need removing
Controversial boulders could be removed from The Green, Croxley Green, after the revelation they were not placed with the necessary permission.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:44:00 +0000
Parking charges TREBLE at Watford General, FOI reveals
The latest figures have shown a sharp increase in the number of Penalty Charge Notices being handed out at Watford General Hospital.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:59:00 +0000
First rail fares freeze in 30 years will save Watford commuters £230, MP says
A UK government decision to freeze rail fares could save some Watford commuters hundreds of pounds.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:51:21 +0000
The Watford roads where homeowners will have to pay new 'mansion tax'
Watford properties will be hit by the 'mansion tax' announced in today’s budget, Land Registry price data has revealed.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000
Council chair resigns as 'Crox-henge' boulders saga rumbles on
The Croxley Green Parish Council chair has resigned as a consultation is set to be launched that could see village green boulders removed.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:46:00 +0000
Silent auction launched for Hunt Family Fund with top prizes on offer
A host of top prizes will be on offer in a silent auction to raise money for the Hunt Family Fund, in honour of the Bushey family.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:40:00 +0000
When a well-known Watford supermarket announced its closure after 22 years
A notice in the shop window announcing the closure of the Watford High Street branch of Presto supermarket in 1986.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:54:00 +0000
Tougher HMO rules proposed amid neighbours' backlash
HMO rules could be tightened in Three Rivers amid neighbours’ backlash against the properties.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:33:00 +0000
'Brothel' discovered in Watford after 'knife attack' puts woman in hospital
A Watford man has been arrested on suspicion of running a brothel amid an ongoing investigation into a knife attack in the Wellstones area.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:08:19 +0000
Budget 2025: recap and Watford reaction
Follow reaction from across the Watford area to this year's budget, set to be delivered by Rachel Reeves at 12.30pm.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:45:22 +0000
Police to start handing out fines as 'dangerous' school parking continues
Police are set to start handing out penalty notices to parents parking dangerously during the school run in the Abbots Langley area.

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