Watford Observer

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:11:55 +0000
Exact days it could snow in Hertfordshire revealed
The latest weather forecast has revealed that there is a chance of snow in Watford and Hertfordshire in the next week.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
In memoriam: Death notices in the Watford Observer
The Watford Observer has published three death notices in the last seven days.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:13:18 +0000
Fate of Watford branches revealed as banking giant announces 95 closures
Watford's branches of Lloyds and Halifax are safe after the banking giant announced 95 upcoming closures

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:18:01 +0000
A-list comedian announces Colosseum show with tickets on sale TODAY
One of Britain's biggest comedians is coming to Watford, with tickets for Jimmy Carr's June show going on sale this morning.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Two-bed home in sought-after neighbourhood put on sale for £475k
A “well‑presented” terraced house in sought-after Watford neighbourhood Watford Fields is on the market for £475,000 with estate agents Gibbs Gillespie.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
High Street's newest restaurant aiming to bring 'something Watford has been missing'
Watford High Street’s newest restaurant, Aysu, is here to make a splash with “authentic flavours, generous portions, and great hospitality”.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0000
Revive your garden with timeless blooms from You Garden
The Complete Hardy Garden Perennial Collection from You Garden will quite simply transform your garden with six months of spectacular colour every year.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:15:00 +0000
Everything we know after house fire left one dead and four hospitalised
While the investigation continues, it has been confirmed that one person died and four were hospitalised in a huge house fire in Bushey Heath.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Rogue trader jailed after £100k scam left victims without a roof for winter
Targeting elderly and vulnerable people has landed a rogue trader from Aldenham with a five-year prison sentence.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000
The most changed area of Watford High Street
The area of Watford High Street between market place and Clarendon Road has seen the most frequent changes over the past 100 years.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0000
Watford station to close for 4 days next week as no trains will run
Watford Underground Station is set to close over four days next week as no Metropolitan Line trains will run on its branch.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:55:00 +0000
'Big dip' in road forces its closure amid sinkhole fears
A “void” has opened up in a Hayling Road, South Oxhey, forcing its closure.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:05:00 +0000
Video shows fatal Bushey house blaze - as fire service issue statement
Footage shows the fire which destroyed a large home, killed one person, and hospitalised four as it raged through the night in Bushey Heath.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:15:00 +0000
Person dies and firefighters hospitalised by huge house fire
One person died and firefighters were hospitalised in a huge fire in Bushey Heath which blazed for hours last night.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:01:53 +0000
Major house fire sparks emergency services investigation - recap
Firefighters tackled a major blaze in Bushey Heath yesterday evening, with details expected to be confirmed soon.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:31:54 +0000
'Miles of congestion' as lorry breakdown blocking M25 - recap
There are miles of congestion on the M25 this morning after a vehicle breakdown shut two lanes.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:33:06 +0000
Up to 1,000 jobs at risk amid reports of cost-cutting at Herts-based big business
Hertfordshire-based business Ocado is reportedly drawing up plans that could put 1,000 jobs at risk.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:57:19 +0000
Burglar jailed after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and scotch
A man has been jailed for 32 months after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and aged scotch from a garage in Hemel Hempstead

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:42 +0000
Road closure in place for hours as emergency services battle blaze
Emergency services have been battling a blaze in Hartsbourne Close in Bushey overnight with road closures in place.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000
Showcase day celebrates Watford businesses and charities
Watford Rotary Club hosted a community showcase at Holywell Community Centre, highlighting local volunteering, charity projects, and membership opportunities.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
'Printing is in Watford's blood' - shock and worry over iconic site's closure
Current and former workers at Reach’s Watford print site have been left in “shock” by the closure of a key part of the town’s heritage.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:29:00 +0000
'Waitrose to open new store' as part of 150-home development
North Bushey county councillor Laurence Brass has claimed that a new Waitrose store could be opening as part of the redevelopment of the Bushey Golf and Country Club site.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:00 +0000
Save on February staycations with Sykes Cottages
Whether you're looking to explore the countryside with your family or a break by the sea, there's something for everyone from Sykes Cottages this February.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:45:00 +0000
ITV's The Chase star to host Palace Theatre quiz night
ITV game show The Chase star Shaun Wallace, 'The Dark Destroyer', will help launch 1908 Cabaret creative space at Watford Palace Theatre.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:25:00 +0000
High Street restaurant to reopen with upgraded facilities after refurb
Watford High Street restaurant Fratelli is set to reopen with upgraded facilities next week.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:40:00 +0000
Mayor highlights importance of apprenticeships in Watford
Early years apprenticeships in the UK surge 21%, making childcare the fastest-growing sector. Watford mayor visits Montessori Apprentice Academy.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:41:20 +0000
Motorway 'to remain closed for hours' after multi-vehicle crash
The M25 is closed between the M40 and Maple Cross in Hertfordshire after a multi-vehicle crash.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:02:21 +0000
'Hour-long delays' as M25 shut after crash - recap
The clockwise M25 is currently shut between junction 16 and 17 - for Maple Cross - following a crash.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:24:18 +0000
Hertfordshire fare dodger spared jail term over 112 unpaid train tickets
A Hertfordshire train fare dodgers has been spared jail over 112 convictions for not paying for a ticket on journeys spanning nearly two years.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000
Vibrant celebration of culture brings community together
Watford Portuguese Association hosted a cultural event at Holywell Community Centre with music, food, and dance.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:54:00 +0000
Closure date for one of Watford's top-rated pubs confirmed
The closure date for highly rated Watford pub The Southern Cross has been confirmed.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Sentimental snaps of last days of Vicarage Road terrace
A look back 33 years to when the Vicarage Road terrace was demolished to build a new all-seater stand at Watford FC.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000
'Hidden gem' Watford café goes TikTok viral
A TikTok video hailing the "hidden gem" that is Watford's Unit VII café has been seen more than 250,000 times.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:51:00 +0000
Decision to block 600-home plan 'made amid abuse and intimidation', says advocate
A pro-housebuilding representative has complained of “abuse and intimidation” at a meeting which blocked plans for 600-homes in Croxley Green.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:05:00 +0000
Why calling Watford 'the UK's worst large town' is 'completely wrong'
The Telegraph ranking Watford Britain’s worst large town has been slammed as “completely wrong”.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:25:15 +0000
Woman dies after being hit by car while loading shopping in Herts
A 65-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car while loading shopping in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:20:00 +0000
Watford man charged over weapon and cocaine possession
A Watford man is one of three people who have been charged after knives and drugs were seized in St Albans.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:45:00 +0000
New grant scheme can boost local community projects
New Three Rivers grant scheme offers up to £500 for community projects as part of Grove Court redevelopment by Thrive Homes and Howarth Construction.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:40:00 +0000
Clothes swap in Watford to promote sustainable fashion and reduce waste
West Herts College hosts a Watford clothes swap on February 23, organised by Veolia and Watford Borough Council, to promote sustainable fashion.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:11:59 +0000
Fundraiser launched to support funeral of 'wonderful' teen killed in Herts crash
A fundraiser has been launched to support the funeral costs of a 13-year-old girl killed in a crash in Ware, Hertfordshire last week.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:26:53 +0000
Four arrested including 'drug driver' after stolen car stopped in Watford
Four people have been arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after a stolen vehicle with cloned plates was stopped in Watford

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Bus stops 'won't be fixed until summer' as users get 'drenched'
Watford High Street bus stops with roofs which shattered in a crash will not be fixed until the summer – as users continue to get soaked.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:13:00 +0000
Ramp up the romance with a Valentine’s gift from Experience Days
From romantic afternoon teas to exhilarating track-days, pampering spa treatments to thrilling outdoor adventures, Experience Days has an experience to make your Valentine’s heart race.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:40:00 +0000
The 7 restaurants near Watford named in the Michelin Guide 2026
Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire restaurants near Watford have been included in the latest Michelin Guide.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:12:00 +0000
Odhams memories as historic Watford print site closure confirmed
A look back at the history of publishing giants Odhams Press after Reach announce planned closure of historic Watford print site.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:04:32 +0000
Defiant PM refuses to quit at Hertfordshire event this afternoon
PM Keir Starmer was back in Hertfordshire today as he delivered a speech defending his leadership of the country.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:46:37 +0000
News giant announces closure of iconic Watford print site
Media firm Reach has announced plans to close its Watford print site as part of UK print consolidation, with work moving to Broxbourne.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:50:00 +0000
Snaps of 10 town centre pubs and clubs from 20 years ago
Memories of Area and Destiny nightclubs, and bars including Chicago Rock Cafe, O'Neills and Yates in Watford town centre in 2006

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:50:00 +0000
High Street café set to reopen with family 'fulfilling dream'
“Overwhelming” community support has buoyed a family working to reopen The Village Cafe, Bushey.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:55:00 +0000
Meet the new headteacher taking over a Watford secondary school in September
The new headteacher for Watford Grammar School for Girls has said she is “immensely proud” as her appointment is announced.

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