Watford Observer
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:33:54 +0100Lidl to open more than 50 new stores in next 12 months - including near Watford
Lidl has said it expects to open more than 50 new stores in the next 12 months, including in Hunton Bridge near Watford.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:18:18 +0100Woman in 80s drives car into wall by Next store
Emergency services were called to Apsley on Wednesday afternoon (April 8) after a woman in her 80s drove a car into a wall by Next.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:43:39 +0100Retail park 'disturbance' sparks dispersal order in Hertfordshire city
A dispersal order is currently in place for the Hertfordshire city of St Albans following a "disturbance" at St Albans Retail Park.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:08:43 +0100No arrests after boy 'repeatedly kicked in the head' near Watford McDonald's
Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made after an "awful" attack near Watford's McDonald's that saw a 12-year-old boy repeatedly kicked in the head.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0100The 14 areas near Watford where almost 6,000 homes could be built
Fourteen sites in Bushey and Radlett have been eyed for around 6,000 homes as Hertsmere Borough Council publishes its longlist of sites being considered for inclusion in its local plan.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:41:00 +0100Get your house back to being the best looking home on the street!
A lick of paint on the inside walls of our home is a doable project but what about when it comes to the exterior of your property?
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0100Garden at George Harrison’s former home to open to the public
Sacred grounds that were once owned by The Beatles' George Harrison are to open to the public as part of a national garden scheme.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:53:15 +010030-minute Hertfordshire M25 delays amid crash - recap
30-minute delays on Hertfordshire M25 after crash on clockwise carriageway between junctions 25 for Waltham Cross and 26 for Waltham Abbey
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:40:00 +0100New Harlequin store Space NK set to open this week
Space NK has shared a first look at its Watford store ahead of opening on Friday.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:10:00 +0100Full list of Watford Colosseum acts for April and May 2026
Suzi Quatro and John Lydon are among the sets to perform at the Watford Colosseum between now and the end of May.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0100Nostalgic snaps of men at work in a Watford street - but which one?
A look back 45 years to when the pavement was being dug up in a residential street in Watford. Do you recognise which one.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:26:00 +0100Amazon delivery drivers 'putting lives at risk' by 'blocking fire exits'
Amazon has responded to claims that its delivery drivers are putting lives at risk at a block of flats in Kings Langley.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:09:10 +0100'One of the best independents in the world' to reopen after months-long closure
A café previously described as one of the best independents in the world is set to reopen under new management.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:09:24 +0100Look inside revamped M&S store ahead of reopening TOMORROW
M&S has provided a sneak peek at its revamped Rickmansworth Simply Food store ahead of its reopening tomorrow (April 9)
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:37:08 +0100Rickmansworth-based firm set for £1 billion takeover
Senior plc - headquartered in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire - has accepted an offer from private equity investors Tinicum and Blackstone that values the firm at £1.28 billion.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford paedophile, 74, avoids prison over eight child sex offences
A Watford pensioner has been given a suspended sentence over child sex offences.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:40:00 +0100Save on some of the finest luxury holiday hot spots in the UK
From spontaneous spring breaks to unforgettable summer escapes, Luxury Escapes offers extraordinary stays, right here in the UK
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +0100New landlord 'proud' after taking over village pub from his father
A new landlord has taken over The Cart and Horses pub in Commonwood, near Chipperfield.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:18:19 +0100Hertfordshire M25 delays amid 'broken down vehicle' - recap
Follow our live updates amid traffic delays on the M25 in Hertfordshire due to a broken down vehicle between junctions 23 for the A1 (M) and Barnet and 24 for Potters Bar, Barnet and Enfield.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:52:00 +0100Fire near Watford petrol station sparks arson investigation
Herts Fire and Rescue Service were called last night to a fire near a petrol station in Sheepcot Lane, Watford.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0100The trendy Watford wine bar recalled for its big Humphrey Bogart picture
A look inside Buddies wine bar, in Queens Road, Watford, 45 years ago.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0100Fate of Watford store revealed after retailer announces closures
Watford's Topps Tiles store will be remaining open despite the firm's decision to close 23 stores.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0100Revolting pictures reveal fish stored in bath for Watford business
New photos show the terrible conditions inside a Watford ready meal kitchen where fish were kept in the bathtub and on the floor near the toilet.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:32:00 +0100The Horns 'reopening in a couple of weeks' after two false dawns
Watford's iconic The Horns pubs is once again under new management and looks set to reopen imminently.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:29:05 +0100McDonald's staff 'abused' as 'card reader thrown at them' - CCTV appeal released
Herts Police have appealed for witnesses and information after staff at Watford's McDonald's branch were "verbally abused" and had a card reader and box of napkins thrown at them.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford area's cheapest and most expensive petrol stations revealed by latest prices
The latest government data reveals where the cheapest and most expensive petrol stations are around Watford, Rickmansworth, Bushey, and Kings Langley.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:15:00 +0100Ten Watford Market traders worth a visit this spring
The Watford Observer rounds up ten traders at the town centre market that are worth a visit this spring.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0100BAFTA-winning comedy star to perform intimate gigs near Watford
BAFTA and Royal Television Society award-winning star Tom Davis is bringing a pair of warm up shows to Hemel Hempstead ahead of his upcoming Spudgun tour.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:57:33 +0100£100k slashed from asking price for prominent High Street unit
The asking price for the former Cedars unit in Bushey has been slashed by £100,000 following its sudden closure last autumn.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:13:06 +0100Lanes closed and long delays after Hertfordshire M1 crash - recap
Follow live traffic updates after a crash on the M1 in Hertfordshire between junctions 8 for Flamstead and 9 for St Albans.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:03:38 +0100Watford areas among March's People's Postcode Lottery winners
Postcodes in Watford were among the lucky Hertfordshire winners in March's People's Postcode Lottery draws.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:02:22 +0100International food festival coming to Watford town centre this month
An international food festival has been announced for the food court in Watford town centre, taking place on Saturday, April 25.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:22:36 +0100Disruption warning as six-day doctors' strike set to begin
Resident doctors are set to begin a six-day walkout tomorrow, which will impact patients in Watford and across Hertfordshire.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:28:25 +0100Pub under new management from TODAY as landlord retires after 34 years
A new landlord has today (April 6) taken over The Cart and Horses in Chipperfield after 34 years.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0100Three Watford and Kings Langley addresses shut down under closure order
No one can enter these three Watford and Kings Langley addresses which Herts Police have secured closure orders for.
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:39:09 +0100Save on your visit to English Heritage’s inspiring gardens
With longer, brighter days and a hopefully a little bit of warmth gradually returning, spring is the season for visiting glorious gardens!
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:50:00 +0100Dad and son avoid football ban for 'jumping headbutt' pub attack after Watford game
Watford fans Carl and Callum James attacked a man at the Red Lion pub.
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:40:00 +0100'Disgusting' food business with fish kept in bathtub exposed in Watford flat fire
Stephen Akuoko had been supplying ready meals to supermarkets and corner shops across Watford.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:44:03 +0100Greggs location closes for 10-day refurbishment starting today
A Greggs location between Oxhey and Northwood is closed for a full refurbishment starting today.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:05:00 +0100Turkish restaurant and cocktail bar 'opening soon'
A new Turkish restaurant and cocktail bar looks set to open “soon” in Abbots Langley.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0100Local businesses need help and support not constant attacks
The chairman of Watford Conservatives calls for more support for local businesses in his latest column for the Watford Observer.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:14:55 +0100Three-vehicle crash shuts motorway in Hertfordshire causing Easter Sunday delays
A three-vehicle crash shut the M1 in Hertfordshire, causing delays of more than an hour on Easter Sunday.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:50:00 +0100Motorcyclist 'seriously injured' in Hertfordshire crash - information appeal launched
Police have appealed for information after a motorcyclist was hospitalised in a serious crash in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:59:33 +0100Hertfordshire M1 traffic held after three-vehicle crash - recap
There are delays on the M1 in Hertfordshire due to a crash between junctions 8 and 9 near Hemel Hempstead.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +0100Video shows 'terrifying' moment girl, 7, fell beneath loose manhole cover
A mum has described the “terrifying” moment her daughter suddenly fell beneath a loose manhole cover in Patchetts Green.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0100Snapshot of a town in transition almost a century ago
Photo taken almost a century ago shows Watford in transition, with new buildings gradually reshaping High Street near the pond.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:10:00 +0100Casting call for kids near Leavesden to feature in 'major TV production'
A “major” TV production filming at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden has put out a casting call for children near the studios.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0100Major industrial redevelopment proposed for former Portakabin site
Plans have been submitted to redevelop the Portakabin site on Boundary Way in Hemel Hempstead, with proposals for a new industrial or warehouse unit.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:21:43 +0100Anthony Joshua makes first public appearance since crash at Derek Chisora fight
Anthony Joshua has made his first public appearance since the death of two close friends as he arrived at O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora.
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0100Modern four-bed family home in prime Watford spot on sale for £1.2 million
A modern detached family home in Tunnel Wood Road in Hertfordshire has come onto the market with an asking price of £1,200,000.