Watford Observer
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:42:00 +0100Rat infestation sees The Range forced to pay over £82,000
The Range in Hemel Hempstead's Apsley Mills Retail Park has been hit with a heavy fine in court after failing to control a rat infestation.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:35:00 +0100New High Street business opens today - first look inside
A new Watford High Street shop has opened, offering half price deals in the former Choice unit.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0100JR Alloy Wheel Repair opens state-of-the-art Elstree branch
JR Alloy Wheel Repair opens state-of-the-art Elstree branch.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:59:29 +0100School nominated for prestigious national award
RMS School for Girls in Rickmansworth has been nominated for a prestigious national award.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:28:45 +0100Watford cinema could be open 24 hours a day under new plan
A Watford cinema has submitted an application to open 24 hours a day and upgrade its seating.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:32:00 +0100Herts Police wanted list: six new people added in September
These six people have been added to the Herts Police wanted list this month, with their faces shared by the force.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:31:00 +0100Business boost as 'superb' DomeWorks plan granted approval
Plans to revamp Watford’s Wenta Business Centre have been given the green light by the borough council’s planning committee.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:29:00 +0100Pick up some charming gifts from Lily Charmed
Jewellery charms are more than a piece of pretty jewellery, they hold a special place for the wearer with symbols representing key milestones, self-expression, loves, passions and cherished memories.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:04:09 +0100Traffic building near M1 amid 'very nasty accident' reports - recap
Traffic is building in the A405, near the M1, following reports of a "nasty crash".
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:59:00 +0100Man killed in hot air balloon fall recently quit The Grove job, inquest hears
An inquest has opened into the death of a lifeguard from Watford who fell from a hot air balloon in Sussex 4,000 feet above the ground.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0100Council removing flags again after 'abuse and threats forced pause'
Hertfordshire County Council has revealed it has restarted removing flags in areas including Watford after a pause due to “abuse and threatening behaviour”.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:25:00 +0100Closed Walkabout unit set to reopen as a pub 'this week'
The former Walkabout Watford unit looks set to reopen as a pub under a new name on Friday.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:50:00 +0100New Tesco looks set to open in Watford development
Tesco appears set to open another new Watford store inside the Watford Riverwell Development.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0100Car flips onto roof during 'very nasty' crash near M1
A car has flipped onto its roof in a two-vehicle crash on the A405 in North Watford, near the M1 junction 6.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0100Super shows and chart stars to enjoy in Watford in October
Watford Palace Theatre chief executive Steve Marmion takes a look at some forthcoming cultural highlights in the town during October.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0100Can you guess where this rural scene was taken almost a century ago?
The caption with this picture tells us it was taken in Green Lane, Oxhey, but can you work out where the photographer was standing?
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:33:00 +0100Controversial plans to replace ‘neglected’ homes approved again
Plans to redevelop the “neglected” Kytes Drive estate in Garston have been approved for a second time.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:54:00 +0100New co-living tower agreed for ‘one of the ugliest parts of town’
A new 16-storey co-living block can be built in what has been described by a councillor as “one of the ugliest parts” of Watford.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:32:00 +0100Man on mission to visit 449 PureGyms gives Watford verdict
A social media user on a quest to visit every PureGym in Britain has given his view on the Watford branch.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:44:00 +0100Police and fire service called to car 'explosion' in busy road
Police and fire crews were called to Vicarage Road in Watford yesterday morning after a Mercedes was found "well alight".
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:45:00 +0100Watford Apprentice contestant returns to school in 'full-circle moment'
Former BBC Apprentice candidate Jana Denzel has returned to his alma mater of Watford Grammar School for Boys to give a talk.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:06:00 +0100Watford homecare provider to host autumnal coffee morning
A Watford homecare provider wants to "bring the community together" during an autumn-inspired coffee morning.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:56:43 +0100Watford teen among winners of young designer competition
A Watford teenager is among the winners of the M&S’ Young Designer competition.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:06:50 +0100Watford resident among Herts victims of £1.14m romance scam
A Watford resident has lost £5,000 as part of a romance scam that has affected more than 1000 people in Hertfordshire.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:30:00 +0100'Dripping grease and veg going off' landed Bushey takeaway 1/5 rating
Inspectors were “very concerned” by a Bushey restaurant which made “little attempt” to meet food hygiene standards and risked cross contamination.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:29:00 +0100Padel courts plan submitted for sports club
Plans have been submitted for six padel courts at a sports club in Bushey.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:41:00 +0100Save £13 on Blossoming Gifts’ Bouquet of the Week
Flowers can brighten any occasion, from birthdays, anniversaries, a new baby, or simply saying “thank you” or “sorry” to a friend or loved one.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:48:00 +0100Chinese supermarket edges closer to Watford town centre opening
Watford High Street's former Poundland unit has taken a step closer to becoming a Chinese supermarket.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 05:30:00 +0100Watford's most and least expensive neighbourhoods revealed for 2025
New ONS data reveals Watford’s most and least expensive neighbourhoods for 2025, with the Cassiobury Estate coming out on top.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:45:00 +0100Cause of fire that seriously injured man and killed two dogs confirmed
Firefighters have confirmed the cause of a house fire that killed two dogs and left a man with serious burns in Maple Cross.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:51:52 +0100New Channel 4 documentary tells story of Watford stalking case
Last night's Channel 4 documentary Catching My Stalker told the story of a Watford case.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:26:00 +0100Watford charity to benefit from Everyone Active community scheme
New Hope has been named the successful applicant of the Community Champions scheme.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0100Pop sensation Adam Ant coming to Watford Colosseum in 2025
Fans can look forward to an electrifying live performance on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:55:28 +0100Floating crêperie selling treats in Watford for two weeks only
The Crêpe Craft has stopped off to sell its treats in Watford for two weeks only.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:55:00 +0100Expanding takeaway chain hails Watford opening as 'fantastic success'
Shah's Halal Foods has opened its latest branch in Market Street, Watford.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0100Landlord leaves village pub with replacement lined up
The landlord of The Old Palace pub in Kings Langley has left the business with a new landlord eyeing a refurb.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:15:00 +0100Pub applies for longer hours to help tackle 'tough times'
The new landlord at the Oddfellows pub seeks permission to stay open later to help the boozer hold its own amid tough times for the industry.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0100Deal struck for Harlequin retailer - but 145 stores not included
A rescue deal has been struck for accessories chain Claire's, however 145 stores will not be saved, casting fresh doubt over the future of Watford's stores.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:12:32 +0100New owners take over popular café with name change and refurb planned
New owners have taken over Café Amici, with plans for a new look and a new name in the coming weeks.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:32:22 +0100Trump announces '100 per cent tariff' on films from non-US studios like Leavesden
President Trump has announced he will impose a 100 per cent tariff on "any and all movies that are made outside of the United States" - including Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:59:08 +0100'Nuisance' moped seized amid reports of 'dangerous riding'
Police in Abbots Langley have seized a moped that they say was involved in "multiple reports of antisocial and dangerous riding".
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100'Woman falsely imprisoned and threatened with knife and hammer'
A Bushey man is set to appear in crown court over alleged false imprisonment and threatening a woman with a knife and hammer.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:32:00 +0100Food without labels and dirty fridges found at 0/5 business
The full 0/5 food hygiene report has been published for a Watford Market trader.
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:40:00 +0100Save on your autumn adventures at Go Ape!
While summer may now seem a distant memory, do not despair as there are plenty of autumn adventures to be had for the whole family.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:52:00 +0100Smash burger restaurant opening this week after initial delay
A new takeaway for St Albans Road, Watford, is set to open this week after its original launch was delayed.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:34:00 +0100Major High Street bar shuts down - with another brand to replace it
A fixture of Watford High Street, Walkabout, has closed down with the unit set to reopen under a different brand.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:52:00 +0100Reform on course to win Watford MP seat, YouGov poll predicts
Watford MP Matt Turmaine has responded to a YouGov poll predicting Reform UK would win the town's parliamentary seat if a general election was held tomorrow.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:18:00 +0100Major clothing brand opening new store with Costa near Watford this week
Special offers will be available to the first customers as a major clothing brand cuts the ribbon on a new store in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:25:00 +0100Watford named Hertfordshire's worst area for pedestrian crashes
Watford has been revealed as Hertfordshire's hotspot for pedestrians being hit by vehicles.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:29:50 +0100Police officer who stole knickers during search set for misconduct hearing
A former Hertfordshire police officer who stole a pair of knickers from a home he was searching is set to face a misconduct panel.