Watford Observer
Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:13:01 +0100'Lovely' village pub announces plans to close for refurb
The Windmill Chipperfield has announced plans for a refurb which will give it a fresh "sparkle".
Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0100Scores ranging from 1/5 to 5/5 among latest Hertfordshire food hygiene ratings
Businesses across Hertfordshire have been handed new food hygiene ratings in recent weeks, with scores ranging from 1/5 to 5/5.
Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0100Six Hertfordshire criminals jailed in July
These six Hertfordshire men have all been jailed over the course of July 2026.
Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:00:00 +0100The 'exceptional' tea room with 'delicious' homemade cakes in a lovely Herts village
Westmill Tea Room in Westmill has been described as exceptional and serving delicious homemade cakes.
Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:30:00 +0100'Gorgeous' National Trust site with 'magnificent' gardens just 1 hour from Herts
Ham House is just one hour from Hertfordshire and is a National Trust property described as "magnificent" and "gorgeous".
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:23:18 +0100Six homes to be built behind road - despite 96 objections - after appeal
Six homes can be built on “verdant” Radlett land behind a row of houses despite 96 objections after refusal was overturned at appeal.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:16:03 +0100Watford named Hertfordshire's second-worst area for crime in new data
New government data has revealed which Hertfordshire areas have the highest and lowest crime rates.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:35:00 +0100Care home told it must improve as breach of legal regulations found by CQC
The CQC told St Anthony's Residential Care Homes it must improve after an inspection found a breach of legal regulations.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:25:00 +0100Why Watford General is NOT among hospital rebuilds taking 'great step' forward
Watford General Hospital is not among those to have taken a step forward as part of this week's announcement relating to the New Hospitals Programme.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:20:00 +0100'Five-foot sinkhole' discovery closes Watford road
Highways reportedly believe a five-foot void could have developed under Cecil Street, Watford which has been closed.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:50:00 +0100Bushey man to face trial over 'indecent child images and extreme pornography'
A Bushey man is set to face a St Albans Crown Court trial over alleged possession of indecent child images and "extreme" pornography.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:24:24 +0100Watford family leads calls for Burnham to meet bereaved over helicopter crash inquiry
A Watford man whose father was killed in a helicopter crash is calling for a meeting with new prime minister Andy Burnham.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:49:42 +0100'Urban explorer' visits 'abandoned' former Watford police station and court
A TikTok video Watford's "abandoned" former police station has been viewed more than 9,000 times.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:31:04 +0100Police name 6 people arrested in town centre shoplifting crackdown
Herts Police have named six people charged in a “crackdown” on Watford High Street shoplifting.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:46:03 +0100School given go-ahead to build padel facility on-site
The Royal Masonic School for Girls has been given the go-ahead to build three padel courts on its site.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:20:00 +0100High Street's newest bar aims to bring Watford nightlife 'back to its best'
Watford High Street’s newest bar Timmy's at The Old Bank is looking to “bring Watford back to its best” with a return to thriving nightlife.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Bring the Med to your garden and save £40 on You Garden's olive trees
You Garden's Olive tree – add a touch of Mediterranean magic to your garden.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Nine people added to the Herts Police wanted list this month
These nine people have all been added to the Herts Police wanted list in July 2026.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:34:00 +0100'Exceptional' four-bed home boasting beautiful garden near Cassiobury Park on sale
A four-bedroom detached house on Cassiobury Drive in Watford has come to market at £1.25m.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:25:00 +01005 major fires that threatened homes and businesses in the Watford area during July
A hot and dry July has brought five dangerous fires for the Watford, Bushey, Chenies, and Croxley Green homes and businesses have been threatened.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0100Reason 'strip pub' near Watford forced to close revealed
A "strip pub" near Watford closed after its application for a new licence was rejected by the council.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0100Watford pub regulars who attended '66 World Cup final say sport 'less fun now'
Nascot Arms pub regulars who attended the World Cup final in 1966 say football is “less fun now” as they mark the 60th anniversary of the game.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:50:00 +0100'Profitable' takeaway with 'loyal customer base' put up for sale
“Profitable” takeaway with a “loyal and established customer base”, Chicken Cottage, has been placed on the market.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:15:00 +0100Aldi names 3 Hertfordshire locations where it is looking to open new stores
Aldi has named three Hertfordshire locations - Hitchin, Ware, and St Albans - where it is looking for sites to open new stores after a recent Watford launch.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:15:00 +0100Watford man in court over 'young offender prison drug smuggling'
A Watford man has appeared in court over alleged drug smuggling at HMP Feltham Young Offenders.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:15:00 +0100Series of closures from M25 junction to village start tonight - 6 mile diversion
A series of overnight closures from the M25 to Kings Langley, with a 6-mile diversion route, begins tonight.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:13:41 +0100New plan for 'high-quality' home in road with average house price of £1.2m
Plans have been submitted for a "high-quality" new house in Chorleywood Road, Rickmansworth, where the average house price is around £1.2 million.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100Harlequin moviegoers 'trapped in car park' as fire alarm sounded
A Harlequin Watford customer who became trapped in the car park says she was told she could be stuck for hours due to an ongoing fire.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:52:54 +0100August Competitions Are Here: Win Big This Summer
Step into August with three fantastic competitions offering something for everyone, from a memorable seaside escape to matchday treats and a helpful shopping boost.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:07:23 +0100Applicant breaks silence amid row over caravan site plan with 229 objections
The applicant behind a controversial caravan site plan in Kings Langley has submitted new documents amid more than 200 objections.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:03:52 +0100Barns and fields burn as eight fire engines tackle 'large fire' at farm
Two barns and two fields burned as eight fire engines battled a farm blaze until 3am.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:45:00 +0100Plan 'in principle' submitted for housebuilding on field between village homes
Plans for nine homes on a Chipperfield field which would fill in the space between houses in a village have been submitted.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:34:32 +0100Men wanted for 'major TV series' filming in Leavesden
An "urgent" casting call has been launched for filming of a "major returning TV series" at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100Woodlands Park celebrates national recognition for everyday care
Forest Healthcare Buckinghamshire centre shares pride in national award win.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:40:14 +0100'Immersive' new Harlequin business confirms opening date
Activate Games has confirmed that it will be opening its new Watford location at the Harlequin on Friday, August 7.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:58:30 +0100Firm behind controversial rail freight 'minded to accept' £14bn takeover bid
Segro, the firm behind the controversial Radlett rail freight, looks set to be taken over by US rival Prologis in a deal worth £14 billion.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:27:31 +0100New ONS data reveals how much Watford's population has grown in the last year
New Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has revealed how much Watford's population has grown in the last year.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save £200 on Riviera Travel's 7-day trip to France...now £1,029pp
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Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100New images of huge data centre scheme released amid over 1,100 objections
New CGI images have been released of a proposed data centre at the former Mercure Hotel off the A41 in Watford.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:16:04 +0100Harlequin Watford launches ‘Club HQ’ summer activity hub
Harlequin Watford has launched Club HQ, a new month-long programme running throughout August that aims to transform the centre into a hub of activity.
Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:45:59 +0100Charity unveils new learning facility in memory of 'beloved' late chairman
The Dr Gordon Sellers Learning POD, part of Watford Workshop, was officially named in memory of Dr Gordon Sellers, the charity’s late chairman.
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:45:00 +0100'Heartbroken' garage breaks silence after huge fire
A much-loved car business has said it is "heartbroken" in its first public statement since a huge fire ripped through its garage.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0100E-scooter youths cause chaos before fleeing police - descriptions released
Herts Police have released descriptions of two illegal e-scooter riders who "almost caused three collisions" in Abbots Langley today.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:41:00 +0100Two Watford businesses among finalists in English Curry Awards 2026
Two Watford businesses - Calcutta Cravings and Sharmi's Kitchen - have been nominated in the 15th annual English Curry Awards.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:04:39 +0100Found - missing boy, 14, believed to have travelled to Watford
A missing 14-year-old boy is believed to have travelled to Watford, police have said in an appeal.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:50:00 +0100Key road to close for 18 days to install new zebra crossing
A key road in Abbots Langley is set to close next week for more than two weeks of work to install a new zebra crossing.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:53:00 +0100What's new at Harlequin Watford? - the latest stores, deals, films and attractions
There are plenty of new attractions, items, stores, films and more available at Harlequin Watford this summer.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:30:00 +0100Teacher faces jail after being found guilty of sex with pupil and tying him to bed
A Radlett teacher faces jail after being found guilty of tying a boy to her bed and blindfolding him during a string of sexual acts.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:45:00 +01001,300-strong petition slams 'disgraceful' plan to relocate 'hidden gem' museum
More than 1,300 residents have come out against plans to move “hidden gem” Bushey Museum and Art Gallery into a “totally unsuitable” new home.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:34:54 +0100Hertfordshire drought officially declared amid FOURTH heatwave of summer
The Environment Agency has officially declared a drought for seven areas, including Hertfordshire.