Watford Observer
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Get summer occasions sorted with 20% off men’s suits at M&S
Summer wedding? Job interview or black-tie event? A special occasion commands the right suit, and men have never had so much choice (at last!).
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Shoppers 'exasperated' as 5-storey car park's lifts broken for 8 months
Shoppers have been left “totally exasperated” as the lifts at the Citipark Church car park in Watford have been left out of order for eight months.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:23:00 +0100Man, 68, arrested over 'cannabis, ABH attack and assaulting police' after flats fire
A man has been arrested after police were called to a major fire at a block of flats in Chenies where suspected drugs were discovered.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0100Herts hosepipe ban may last all summer and flouters could be fined - Affinity Water
Affinity Water has failed to rule out its hosepipe ban lasting all summer, and has also responded to calls for discounts amid usage restrictions.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:50:00 +0100New nursery improving - but mixed Ofsted report finds 4 areas 'need attention'
Ofsted found four areas needing attention in a mixed report for recently Watford nursery Canopy Frogmore House.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:45:00 +0100Fire service statement on cause of huge Croxley Green field fire
Herts Fire and Rescue has shared a statement on the cause of a huge fire which consumed a field in Croxley Green and near Cassiobury Park.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:10:00 +0100Helicopter 'rolled' with occupants inside near village - emergency services called
A woman was injured as a helicopter rolled with two people inside between Croxley Green and Sarratt.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:23:10 +0100Emergency services rush to helicopter incident in field - recap
Emergency services have been called to an incident involving a helicopter landed in a field near Sarratt this morning.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:50:00 +0100Trial begins for female teacher accused of gross indecency with child
The trial of Hertfordshire teacher Deborah Franklin, who is accused of gross indecency with a boy under 14, has begun.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0100Work underway at 'chaos' road near schools as parking restrictions considered
Wide-ranging changes to a road outside Parmiter's and St Michael's, which becomes “chaos” at pick-up and drop-off times, are underway.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:28:00 +0100Fire rips through flats during early hours before dog rescued and given oxygen
A dog was rescued and given oxygen by firefighters after a major blaze broke out at a block of flats near Chesham and Amersham.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:55:00 +0100Field fire 'arson' in Hemel Hempstead sparks police probe with e-bike riders sought
Herts Police are appealing for information over "arson" after people on E-bikes were seen near a Hemel Hempstead fire.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Get up to 40% off with Sykes Holiday Cottages this summer
Summer 2026 has been scorching and if you are looking for a hot offer then your summer breaks are sorted with Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Ongoing M1, M25 and A1(M) works bring multiple closures in Hertfordshire this week
The M1, A1(M) and M25 motorways are set for full closures on multiple days during ongoing works in Hertfordshire.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +010017 Green Flag Awards for Watford parks - the most in Hertfordshire once again
17 parks and green spaces have earned Green Flag Awards in Watford recognising their high standards.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:00:07 +0100Long M25 delays between London and Hertfordshire after crash
There are long delays on the M25 after a crash affecting traffic around Hertfordshire and London.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:45:00 +0100Elbow's Guy Garvey among famous musicians spotted at Hertfordshire pub
Musicians including Guy Garvey, Gruff Rhys, The Staves, and Jane Weaver paid an unexpected visit to a Watford pub.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:45:00 +0100'Ukraine smuggling' firm traced to Watford as Boris Johnson demands action
Boris Johnson has called for action after The Mail traced two firms linked to alleged cigarette smuggling in Ukraine to a Watford address.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:40:00 +0100Burger business rated 1/5 for food hygiene over management of food safety issues
Food takeaway business Burger Mania has been rated 1/5 for hygiene in Hertsmere over its management of food safety.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:06:11 +0100'Brown liquid' poured over car and two vehicles stolen during weekend
Three vehicles in Watford were targeted by criminals over the weekend as one had a “brown liquid” poured over it and two were taken.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:07 +0100Community raises seven times the target for 'well-loved' garage destroyed in fire
After a fire destroyed “well-loved” business Cramer Motor Engineers, the community has come together to raise more than seven times the target total.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:50:44 +0100Found: Girl, 13, not seen since leaving home on Friday afternoon - appeal launched
A 13-year-old girl has not been seen since leaving her home in Hemel Hempstead on Friday afternoon.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:15:00 +0100Striking drone footage shows extent of devastation from huge field fire
Drone footage shows the extent of the devastation left by a huge field fire in Croxley Green.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Hot summer essentials and savings to be had at FabFinds
For those summer essentials perfect for the garden, outdoor living, BBQs, and family fun in the sun, look no further than FabFinds.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Restaurant launches pavement licence bid for outdoor tables and seating
Watford restaurant Rio Grande Steak House is seeking permission to operate outdoor seating through a pavement licence.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:20:11 +0100Council bike share scheme records best month as greener transport use rises
Watford Borough Council is celebrating a record month of sustainable journeys through its Transforming Travel.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:38:39 +0100New HMO standards under consideration in bid for safer, better homes
Hertsmere Borough Council has launched a public consultation on proposed Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:20:09 +0100Police stop 16 drivers in Bushey speeding crackdown
Sixteen drivers have been stopped by police during a speeding crackdown on Park Avenue in Bushey.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:04:43 +0100Watford mayor urges prime minister to deliver funding for hospital rebuild
Peter Taylor contacted the new prime minister requesting he take "three steps to solve problems that impact on the lives of residents here in Watford".
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:00 +0100New 'exciting and ambitious' stroke clinic unanimously approved
A stroke rehabilitation clinic can be built in Aldenham after Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission on Thursday (July 16).
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:53:42 +0100Former England manager Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer diagnosis
Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died aged 75, he's family has announced.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0100Welcome home: That’ll be £10 just to escape Stansted
Brett Ellis returns from Spain to discover the flight home was the easy part, as Stansted Airport delivers queues, stress and a £10 pick-up charge.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0100England, hospital success and safer communities
Watford MP Matt Turmaine reflects on England’s World Cup campaign, progress at Watford General Hospital, protecting Sunday library opening and building safer communities.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:10:00 +0100Double yellow lines coming to these 7 roads at the end of the month - public notices
New yellow lines will come into force at the end of this month as set out under the latest public notices for the Watford and Three Rivers areas.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0100'Big moment' - Final day of printing at Watford's historic Odhams site
After almost 40 years the Odhams building in Watford publishes copies of the Daily Mirror for the last time today.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:49:23 +0100Arrest after teen suffers 'life-threatening' injuries in Hertfordshire A41 crash
A teenager has been left with life-threatening injuries after an A41 crash in Hertfordshire this morning.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:17:35 +0100Trees must be removed before 'flooded' road can reopen despite 'nightmare' traffic
Tree removal and excavation will be required before the closure of reportedly flooded Sarratt Road can be lifted.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:52:20 +0100Multi-vehicle crash closes all but one lane of M25 through Hertfordshire - recap
M25 traffic has slowed to 5mph average speeds amid severe delays in Hertfordshire.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:19:34 +0100Hertfordshire gastropub earns place in Michelin Guide
Hertfordshire gastropub The Cock has been named in the Michelin Guide a year after opening its doors.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:50:00 +0100Work to turn former church into mosque to start 'immediately' as approval formalised
Work to turn the former St Thomas' United Reformed Church in Watford into a mosque will begin “immediately” after formal planning permission was secured.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:35:00 +0100Why 253 objections were not enough to stop 28-home plan after legal advice
After a very narrow vote, 28 homes can be built on a controversial Bushey site despite green belt fears.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100The highly rated restaurant visited by a Premier League title winner
The Watford Observer shines a spotlight on Storia Radlett, which was recently visited by Arsenal's Mikel Merino.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0100The Hertfordshire pub serving 'perfection' where fine dining comes at pub prices
The Tilbury in Datchworth has been praised for its "wonderful" and "perfect" pub lunches at excellent prices.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100The 'brilliant' new borrowing scheme for everyday items that's 'making a difference'
Watford's MP Matt Turmaine visited the new scheme and donated a 5ft Jenga set in the process. Here's what makes it so great.
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0100Four-bed Hertfordshire home boasting pristine garden put on sale for £2.15 million
A four-bedroom detached home on Ormonde Road, within the Moor Park estate in Northwood, has hit the market for £2,150,000.
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 17:15:00 +0100Pictures and videos show 'huge' Croxley Green fire and smoke visible for miles
Watford and Croxley Green residents have shared images of a fire which spread across a field near Cassiobury Park this afternoon.
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 16:15:00 +0100'Fire was spreading rapidly towards homes' - Fire service statement on Croxley blaze
Herts Fire and Rescue has shared a statement after a field fire which spread “rapidly” towards Croxley Green homes.
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:55:07 +0100TWO crashes on stretch of M25 near Rickmansworth cause miles of queues - recap
Two crashes have been reported on the same stretch of the M25 near Rickmansworth, causing miles of queues.