Watford Observer
Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100Scores ranging from 0/5 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 a perfect 5/5 to the dreaded 0/5.
Sat, 26 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Hertfordshire town among the best places to retire - how much it costs to live there
Harpenden was previously named one of the best places to retire in Hertfordshire, but how much does it cost to live there?
Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0100Herts drivers warned as diesel prices hit record highs - cheapest fuel revealed
Hertfordshire diesel prices reach 196.1p a litre, nearing the 2022 record, as petrol rises. See the cheapest local forecourts and AA fuel duty warning.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:30:00 +0100I tried the new restaurant inside a Watford supermarket
The Watford Observer's reporter reviews the offering at Burger Boi, part of the Morrisons store in Ascot Road.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:40:00 +0100Retailer that sold vape to child convicted and fined in court
A Rickmansworth retailer has been fined after selling a vape to a child.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:10:30 +0100Overnight M1 closures planned for two weeks as resurfacing works begin
Watford public notices: Balmoral Road parking changes, 40 new Berrond homes, Northwood garage plans and M1 Hertfordshire closures from September 26.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:15:00 +0100Vacant plot eyed for flats cleared after becoming 'dreadful eyesore'
“Ugly” hoardings have been taken down after enforcement action to tackle the “dreadful eyesore”.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:15:00 +0100Two charged over '£12k Hertfordshire shoplifting spree' including at Watford Boots
A man and a woman have been charged over alleged shoplifting worth £12,000 including in Watford.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:55:00 +0100'GBH with intent' arrest after 'stabbing' sparked police manhunt in Watford
Herts Police have arrested a man after an alleged stabbing sparked a major search in North Watford.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:10:00 +0100Objectors slam 'frivolous' and 'underhanded' plan amid village HMO fears
Plans to carry out works to turn a Nash Mills property into a HMO have been slammed by 28 objectors.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:05:00 +0100A41 disruption to last until 2028 during major Brent Cross flyover project
Major A41 works at the Brent Cross flyover which will cause disruption until 2028 begin next week.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:50:17 +0100Watford-area pubs included in new edition of Good Beer Guide
Five pubs in and around Watford have been included in the newest edition of the Good Beer Guide.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:12:12 +0100Popular pub's management confirm departure amid search for new operator
The management of a popular Watford pub have confirmed their departure amid a search for a new operator to take over.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 07:16:10 +01006.74-acre site near Hertfordshire M25 on sale with housebuilding in mind
A 6.74-acre site near the M25 in Hertfordshire is being marketed for housing.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year Hosta ‘Red Ninja’ offered with £5 saving
This week You Garden is showcasing two of its fruit varieties on offer…cherries and blueberries.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:32:00 +0100New town centre restaurant hoping to 'bring Lagos to Watford'
The owner of a new town centre restaurant has said he is hoping to "bring Lagos to Watford" with its authentic dishes.
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford man jailed over 13-inch knife and assault leaving victim's bone fractured
A Watford man has been jailed after carrying a 13-inch knife, hurling racist and homophobic abuse and fracturing a victim’s bone.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0100Narrowing Lower High Street among planned changes for Watford town centre
Either end of Watford High Street could soon look quite different under potential changes and there is just a week left to have a say for one.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:31:11 +0100'Stabbing' sees restaurant cordoned off and manhunt launched in Watford
Herts Police have descended on a North Watford road this afternoon as officers are reportedly looking for someone.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:15:00 +0100Suspected 'knifeman' named after 'sexual assault' arrest as another charge confirmed
The alleged Apsley knifeman who is also accused of sexual assault has been named and charged with an additional offence in custody.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:44:05 +0100'Major incident’ in Watford as numerous police cars descend on road - recap
A North Watford road has been blocked off by police amid reports of a large emergency services presence.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:20:00 +010018-acre field alongside Hertfordshire M25 put up for sale
Around 18 acres of field alongside the M25 near Bedmond has been put up for sale as a data centre is set to be built opposite.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:26:00 +0100Man jailed after sustained abuse left pregnant victim 'numb and broken'
A man has been jailed after leaving his pregnant partner "numb and broken" following a sustained campaign of abuse that "degraded her sense of self-worth".
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:50:00 +0100No speed cameras commitment despite 27 injury crashes and 254-strong petition
Neighbours’ 254-strong petition demanding change at an Oxhey accident blackspot which has seen 27 injury crashes has secured action but no commitment.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:25:00 +0100Eleven members of two families charged over roughly 600 fuel thefts
Eleven members of two families from Hemel Hempstead have been charged over around 600 fuel thefts including in Watford.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:54:00 +0100Strip club in town centre granted opening hours extension despite objections
A Watford strip club has seen off objections and secured permission to open later on certain days.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:20:03 +0100Chance meeting led to couple's 50-year 'marriage made in heaven'
A chance meeting at a cousin's house sparked a "marriage made in heaven" and a love story that has now lasted more than 50 years.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:15:00 +0100Pair deny 'causing unnecessary suffering' after cats left with fractured ribs
A man and woman have denied abusing two cats which were left with fractured ribs in Watford at St Albans Magistrates' Court.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:52:47 +0100Two people seriously injured in crash as dangerous driving arrest made
A man and a woman have been hospitalised with serious injuries following a crash on a Hertfordshire A-road.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:12:29 +0100Tree blocking track cancels trains on Watford line 'until further notice'
Trains are not running on a line from Watford Junction this morning due to a fallen tree blocking the railway.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:03:23 +0100Teenage boys in and around Watford wanted in new Warner Bros. casting call
A new casting call has been shared for teenage boys in the Watford-area, with filming set to take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save up to £250pp on Riviera's Spring in the Netherlands river cruise
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: The Netherlands is a place where windmills fill the sky, tulip fields paint the landscape, and canals weave through towns like pages from a storybook.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:32:00 +0100Popular town centre coffee shop owner 'thrilled' after award win
The owner of one of Watford's best-loved coffee shops is "thrilled" after it scooped an award.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Almost 300 objectors blast 'abhorrent disregard' over caravans plan
Almost 300 objectors have condemned plans for a Loudwater caravan site after trees were felled without permission.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0100Watford MP joins volunteers to help keep park litter-free
Watford MP Matt Turmaine rolled up his sleeves on September 19 to take part in a clean-up at Cassiobury Park.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:22:43 +0100Watford Repair Café fixes 64 per cent of items and saves visitors £15,500
Watford Repair Café marks its first birthday after fixing 64 per cent of 412 items, saving £15,500 and reducing waste with local volunteers each month.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:05:00 +0100Mosque in Herts submits extension plan to enable up to 400 worshippers on site
A mosque in Hemel Hempstead has asked Dacorum Borough Council for permission to build an extension.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:11:00 +0100Hertfordshire parents fined £468k for taking children on term-time holidays
Education officials in Hertfordshire issued more than 5000 fines to parents who took their children on term-time holidays last year (2025/26), according to data obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:27:03 +0100Police respond to serious crash as motorists urged to 'avoid the area'
Police are at the scene of a serious crash on the A4147 in St Albans this evening.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:47:50 +0100Case of robber who targeted pensioners featured on Channel 4 show
The case of a robber who targeted elderly victims across Hertfordshire has been featured in a new Channel 4 programme.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:10:51 +0100Police drop probe into man 'touching himself inappropriately' by playground
Police have dropped their probe into reports of a man "outraging public decency" near a Watford play area, releasing a suspect without charge.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:31:12 +0100'Large emergency services presence' due at Buncefield oil depot for drill
Firefighters have warned neighbours an emergency services drill will be carried out at Buncefield oil depot.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:27:00 +0100High street giant with Watford branches threatens to close 495 stores
The founder of gambling giant Betfred has claimed he could be forced to close 495 stores.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:29:20 +0100Watford business snapped up by London firm in £4.8m expansion
Watford business Warren Anthony has been snapped up by London firm Foxtons as it is expanding out of the capital.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:53:00 +0100Watford has Hertfordshire's highest unemployment rate, new figures reveal
Watford has Hertfordshire’s highest rate of unemployment benefit claimants, new figures show.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0100Watford 21-year-old becomes blind tennis world champion
Visually impaired tennis player from Watford Ivan Rodriguez Deb has been crowned world champion after an inspiring journey as an independent athlete.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:42:29 +0100New Watford 20mph road consultation launched
Hertfordshire County Council looks set to bring forward proposals for more 20mph roads and has asked Watford residents to have their say.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:15:00 +0100Watford man accused of rape and strangulation due in crown court
An Oxhey, Watford, man accused of rape and strangulation in London will appear at crown court.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:54:59 +0100'Premium' new Harlequin business 'coming soon'
A “premium” food business looks set to open a new location inside the Harlequin in Watford.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:40:00 +0100Dog-daycare owner in court over alleged welfare breaches
Closing arguments have been heard in the case against a Kings Langley dog-daycare owner accused of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.