Watford Observer

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Upgrade your home's warmth with local expertise from The Radiator Hub with 15% off
As the temperatures continue to dip and we all look to make our homes cosier, The Radiator Hub is here to help homeowners and local tradespeople find the perfect balance of style, warmth, and value

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
In memoriam - death notices in the Watford Observer
The Watford Observer has published four Watford-area death notices in the last seven days.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:25:45 +0000
75-home estate could soon be built after approval recommended
An estate of 75 homes could soon be built as an extension to Maple Cross, Hertfordshire.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:22:48 +0000
Woman in 70s remains in hospital two months after being hit by car
A woman in her 70s remains in hospital two months after being hit by a car in Croxley Green, police have confirmed.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:30:00 +0000
Aldi and Lidl expanding in Hertfordshire - where new supermarkets are opening
Aldi and Lidl have been expanding their presence near Watford and across Hertfordshire with more new stores on the way.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:40:00 +0000
Community favourite cafe reopening tomorrow after year-long closure
After more than a year empty, The Village Café in Bushey will reopen tomorrow.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Stylish loft conversion has opened up terrace into spacious family home
Four-bedroom mid-terrace house for sale in Watford, Hertfordshire near Garston Park. Modern kitchen, private garden, top schools, and excellent transport links.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:23:00 +0000
Gorgeous scent as standard with You Garden’s Lilac ‘Palibin’
If there’s one tree known for its scent, it has to be a lilac and the Lilac ‘Palibin’ Standard features in You Garden’s offers this week.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Business hub in town hall will 'boost town's economy'
Watford Town Hall to host £10m innovation and incubation hub with Co-Space, supporting start-ups and SMEs as part of the Town Hall Quarter regeneration.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:35:00 +0000
The suburb becoming a lorry shortcut as anger grows over road damage
Carpenders Park is suffering from “excessive” night time noise and "unacceptable" road damage as lorries increasingly use it as a cut-through.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:15:00 +0000
Bushey Arches 'gridlock' could continue as temporary lights to remain
“Gridlocked” traffic near Bushey Arches could continue as temporary lights remain after works to repair a water leak.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Look back at major Watford road 'prior to alterations'
A look back at how part of St Albans Road, in Watford, looked before the Town Hall was built.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +0000
Reopened pub introducing 'completely new' menu with curries and British classics
New management at The Horse and Chains, Bushey, have revealed plans for its Indian curry menu once a kitchen refurbishment is complete.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:55:00 +0000
Homes could be built on large back garden under 'grey belt' rules
Two detached houses could be built on a large back garden in Kings Langley under ‘grey belt’ rules.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:58:00 +0000
Journalist who branded Watford 'worst big town in Britain' invited for tour by MP
Watford MP Matt Turmaine invites Telegraph journalist Chris Moss to tour the town after it was labelled "worst in Britain" in UK Town of Culture ranking.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:46:00 +0000
Man jailed for speeding wrong way up roads and ramming police in Hertfordshire
Speeding the wrong way up Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, roads and ramming police has landed a motorist in jail.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:10:01 +0000
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested and currently in police custody
Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and is in police custody.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:50:00 +0000
Woman dies after 'concern for welfare' incident near the Harlequin
A woman died after a “concern for welfare” was reported near The Harlequin shopping centre last night, Herts Police have confirmed.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Supermarket's plan for new takeaway in its basement submitted
Plans for a new takeaway unit beneath Alli Bhavan in Watford High Street have been submitted.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:22:00 +0000
Save on changing robes this February with Red Equipment
After what seems like a very long and wet winter, the days are starting to get longer and we’re all longing for spring.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:22:30 +0000
Major emergency services presence after incident near the Harlequin
A major emergency presence has been pictured attending an incident near the Harlequin shopping centre.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:36:50 +0000
Recap as 'avoid area' warning in place due to 'incident' near the Harlequin
An avoid the area warning is in place near the Harlequin due to a police incident.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:08:00 +0000
Inside look at new Harlequin restaurant ahead of opening
The Watford Observer was granted a sneak peek at the Harlequin's newest restaurant ahead of its opening date next week.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:34:48 +0000
M25 CLOSED due to stalled truck causing rush-hour chaos
Lanes on the M25 closed after stalled truck causing rush-hour chaos.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:54:00 +0000
Hertfordshire County Council 2026/27 budget agreed - here's where the money is going
Hertfordshire County Council has agreed a £1.2bn budget to provide services in 2026/27, which includes a 4.99% increase in council tax and £55m savings.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:07:00 +0000
I tried Watford High Street's new dessert shop to see if it satisfied my sweet tooth
The Watford Observer visits the recently opened Melto Café in Watford High Street.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:05:18 +0000
'Every room ransacked' during Watford burglary
“Every room” in a home was ransacked during a North Watford burglary.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:45:00 +0000
Watford teen who beat cancer running for charity which made wish come true
Years on from her own cancer battle, a Watford teen will give back to Make-a-Wish - which made her wish come true.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:56:34 +0000
High Street store to shut months after opening as closing down sale launched
Watford High Street store Well Home is to shut just months after opening, with a closing down sale underway.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:55:00 +0000
Sinkhole 'fiasco' revealed after Thames Water finally confirms sewer breaks
The “fiasco” around a “growing” South Oxhey sinkhole has been revealed as Thames Water has allegedly acknowledged its pipes were at fault.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:33:00 +0000
Warning issued to Hertfordshire parents amid measles outbreak
Hertfordshire parents have been warned over a “significant measles outbreak” in Enfield, London.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:30:00 +0000
Four-day closure for Watford station from TOMORROW with no trains to run
A four-day closure for Watford Underground Station will begin tomorrow.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:03:44 +0000
Hertfordshire Police confirm why motorway was closed for hours yesterday evening
Herts Police have confirmed why the M25 was closed for hours near Rickmansworth and Chorleywood yesterday.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:30:00 +0000
96-home estate recommended for approval amid 367 objections and 'merging areas' fears
Despite 367 objections, officers have recommended building a 96 home estate on the edge of Watford be given the go-ahead.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:46:34 +0000
'Vehicle fire' causing heavy M1 traffic near M25 - recap
A vehicle fire has broken out on the M1, near junction 6A for the M25, closing two lanes northbound.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:30:00 +0000
Return to original name sparks record-breaking footfall for The Harlequin
The Harlequin has experienced “record breaking footfall” after reintroducing its original name, bucking a national trend of decline.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
How 'gang warfare' erupted in Watford and the perpetrators were brought to justice
"Violent gang warfare” erupted in Watford during summer 2024. After the shooter was recently sentenced, here's the full story of what happened.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:20:00 +0000
High Street TV’s £1Million stock clearance sale is still on
With a wide range of products, High Street TV has everything for the home and garden and lots in between.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:10:00 +0000
Watford man arrested on suspicion of intent to supply cocaine
A Watford man has been arrested after police stopped a car on a residential street in Ayslebury, Buckinghamshire.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Hertfordshire M1, M25 and A1(M) all set to close for roadworks this week
The Hertfordshire sections of the M1, M25, and A1M will all see closures due to roadworks this week.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:34:00 +0000
Behind the scenes at 'inspiring' new studio forging the future of TV and film
The future of film and TV came to life for West Herts College students and Watford MP Matt Turmaine during a behind-the-scenes visit to Sky Studios Elstree.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:31:00 +0000
Watford town centre businesses face uncertain future as administrations soar
Several Watford town centre businesses are facing uncertain futures as new figures have shown that administrations have surged at the start of 2026.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:51:00 +0000
Bomb squad called to Hemel after 'unexploded WW2 device' found in garden
Hertfordshire Constabulary's bomb squad was called to Hemel Hempstead this morning amid reports of an unexploded Second World War device in the area.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:52:26 +0000
'Chaos' as broken down bus stops traffic in Watford High Street - recap
Traffic in Watford High Street is blocked after a bus broke down, causing "chaos".

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:27:00 +0000
Hertfordshire cold weather warning in place from TONIGHT
A cold weather warning is in place for Hertfordshire from 6pm tonight (February 17) until Friday (February 20).

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:15:00 +0000
Man set home on fire with residents inside overnight - police appeal launched
A "highly distressing" arson in Watford has sparked an appeal for information from police in Hertfordshire.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:27:00 +0000
Developer tweaks 700-home plan as hundreds of objections lodged
The developer behind controversial plans for 700 homes in Bushey has made tweaks to its proposal amid hundreds of objections.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:50:00 +0000
Bushey Arches traffic 'carnage' - what's causing each closure and when will they end?
Motorists have faced “gridlocked” traffic around Bushey Arches, between Watford and Bushey, amid a host of road closures within a small area.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:16:57 +0000
Watford food court applies for outdoor seating
Hello! Watford food court has submitted an application for a new outdoor seating area with tables and chairs.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:18:06 +0000
Traffic stopped after M25 crash - recap
Clockwise M25 traffic was stopped between Chorleywood and Chandlers Cross after a crash this morning.

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