Watford Observer
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:02:26 +0100Teen volunteer 'punched in face' following row near football club
A teenage volunteer was punched in the face following a row outside the home of Bovingdon Football in Green Lane.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:18:53 +0100Shopping centre store's closure after 13 years confirmed as rising costs blamed
A long-standing Hemel Hempstead store has blamed rising costs and a lack of footfall for its imminent closure after 13 years.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Celebrate July birthdays with meaningful sparkle ideas from Lily Charmed
July is here and if you have a friend or loved one with a birthday, how about a piece of jewellery to mark their birthstone month or star sign?
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Video inside 'abandoned' Pryzm nightclub emerges online sparking nostalgia
The video, shared on TikTok, appears to show someone walking through the vacant venue, more than two years after it closed on New Year's Eve 2023.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:51:02 +0100Former Watford skatepark set to be sold to housing developer
A skatepark in Watford is set to be sold to a housing developer by the borough council.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0100Latest Watford Observer Camera Club snaps for food and drink theme
Our amazing photographers have been out capturing images relating to our latest theme of food and drink – you can enjoy a selection by scrolling down on this page.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100The 'fantastic little gem' café with almost perfect reviews lives up to the billing
The tearoom and coffee shop serves light breakfasts, sandwiches and paninis at lunchtime, as well as afternoon tea, scones and cakes.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100The highly rated Indian restaurant in Watford getting praise for 'amazing' food
Generous portions, authentic dishes and outstanding customer service are among the reasons Spice Lounge remains one of Watford's most popular Indian restaurants.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0100Traffic and parking changes among latest Watford-area public notices
Parking changes and a business requesting permission to sell alcohol are among the latest Watford public notices this week.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0100Five-bed family home with pristine garden put on sale for £1 million
A five-bedroom semi-detached home in Nascot Wood hasmarket at hit the market for £1,000,000.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:18:00 +0100'Packed with fun' - Herts children adventure centre hailed in Instagram post
Woody's Playbarn, based at Westmill Farm in Ware, was highlighted by Instagram account @thehertsedit, which shares various ideas for family days out.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0100The 'wonderful' hidden garden less than an hour from Hertfordshire loved by Monty Don
Waltham Place Farm is an hour from Hertfordshire and is loved by gardening expert Monty Don.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:04:53 +0100Manhunt after passenger robbed and assaulted on Hertfordshire train
Police are hunting for a man after a passenger was robbed and assaulted on a train from Hertfordshire.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0100Does Watford's new Aldi live up to the hype? Our reporter's view
Watford's new town centre Aldi has officially been unveiled - but does it live up to the hype after? Our reporter paid a visit to find out.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100One of Hertfordshire's top-rated restaurants given 1/5 hygiene - here's our verdict
One of Hertfordshire's highest-rated Chinese restaurants was recently given a 1/5 food hygiene - so we popped along to judge for ourselves.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0100Barber bemoans Brexit, low footfall and costs amid closure by Christmas fears
James Kourt, 48, opened Ricky's Hair Gallery on Church Street in February but has struggled to attract customers since day one.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:30:00 +0100Discover the 'outstanding' and 'delicious' tearoom hidden on a Hertfordshire farm
The Bull Pen Tearooms in Radlett have been described as "outstanding" and "delicious" by fans.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Hertfordshire town with Rothschild links named among England's most underrated spots
Tring has been named among England's most underrated towns - Here's why.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:12:05 +0100Parking at bend 'accident waiting to happen' as drivers forced to pull out blindly
Joining Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, has become an “accident waiting to happen” as parked cars almost completely block visibility.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:17:17 +0100'Serious incident involving weapons' sees three arrests and two properties shut down
A “serious incident” allegedly involving weapons in Radlett has led to three arrests and two properties being shut down.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:42:00 +0100Viral mum cooking Caribbean food on barge coming to Watford
Helen Dent sells her Caribbean food from her canal barge boat restaurant and is due to moor up at Cassiobury Park from next Thursday to Sunday.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:40:00 +0100Why Watford motorists name these 5 roads as the town's most dangerous
Watford motorists have picked out these roads including the A405, A41, and M1 as the town’s most dangerous, with reports of speeding, near-misses, and crashes.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0100New Lidl supermarket complete - this is why it still may not open for months
The area’s newest Lidl supermarket has now been built, but it cannot open yet under conditions set by the council.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:57:00 +0100Four Watford-area pubs staying OPEN for Mexico vs England
Pubs and bars across England received a major last-minute boost yesterday after Keir Starmer announced that licensing hours will be extended until 5am.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:45:47 +0100M25 coach crash with two cars sees person hospitalised - recap
There are long delays after M25 traffic was stopped due to a crash on the edge of Hertfordshire this morning.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:15:00 +0100Lots of trains disruption affecting Watford and Euston this weekend amid HS2 works
Both London Overground and National Rail trains through Watford Junction are set for a weekend of disruption for HS2 work at London Euston.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:35:00 +0100Harlequin's luxury watch business unveils new expanded unit - take a look inside
Goldsmiths on the Upper Mall of the Harlequin shopping centre has undergone a major expansion and redesign.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:57:10 +0100Have you seen this missing Watford man with plaster cast on his foot?
Herts Police are looking for a Watford man with a plaster cast on his foot who has gone missing from the town centre.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100You Garden offers beautiful plants that flower all summer for under £15
Summer is in full swing and You Garden’s offers are blooming this week!
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:31:00 +0100Is Watford safer now? Latest violent crime, burglary and theft stats revealed
Violent crime and theft in Watford have gone up in a year and residents remain divided over how safe the town really feels.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:32:00 +0100Beautiful four-bed home in sought-after area put on sale for £1.2m
A modern four-bedroom detached home in one of Watford’s most sought-after residential pockets has hit the market at £1,200,000 on Tunnel Wood Road.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:07:04 +0100The 11 Hertfordshire towns in the running to become UK Town of Culture 2028
Eleven Hertfordshire towns are in the running to be named the UK’s first ever town of culture for 2028, including Hemel Hempstead and Elstree & Borehamwood.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:52:13 +0100Croxley Green businesses 'devastated' by parking woes call for new bays
Staff at Sea World Fish Bar, Inspired by D, and Perch and Co on Watford Road say the issue has plagued their businesses for more than three years.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:11:24 +0100Hertfordshire council worker stole funds from disabled adult he was meant to support
A Hertfordshire County Council employee who stole funds from a disabled adult he was meant to be supporting has been sentenced.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:45:00 +0100Does this Hertfordshire village have the longest green in England?
Proud Croxley Green residents have staked their claim to having the longest village green in England after professional measuring.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0100Man wanted after dodging court over theft of £140 Space NK perfume
Herts Police are looking for a wanted man who dodged court after allegedly stealing perfume worth £140 from Space NK in the Harlequin.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:02:17 +0100Drivers warned traffic delays on the way as 'key route' set for temporary lights
Motorists have been warned of upcoming delays on a “key route” in Rickmansworth as two-way traffic lights will be required.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:35:00 +0100Hertfordshire Simmons branch shut after fire rips through flat above
Firefighters rushed to the scene as a fire ripped through a flat above a Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, Simmons branch at midnight.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:25:00 +0100Disabled pensioner 'followed and targeted by thieves' as £1k stolen in town centre
A disabled man says he was followed to his car in Watford town centre and targeted by thieves after withdrawing £1,000 from the bank.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100'Two-hour queues' snake down road as Watford's newest fish and chip shop opens
Chris Furnell said around 50 people lined up on St Albans Road last Saturday for the opening of the new Mother Hubbard's branch at 11am.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0100Watford man charged with stealing from Hollister and Aldi
Daniel Osler, aged 51, of Charter Place, has been charged with shoplifting from Aldi in St Albans and Hollister in Watford.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:40:26 +0100Power cut to wipe out electricity across hundreds of homes 'for hours' - recap
More than 300 homes have lost electricity in Kings Langley as the power cut is expected to last for hours.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100Closure date for large Watford store confirmed
The closure date for the Magnet kitchen showroom in Caxton Way, Watford, has been confirmed.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save up to £500pp on luxury 11-day cruise through southern France
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: World-class wines and legendary cuisine, verdant landscapes draped in vineyards and honey-coloured medieval towns with intriguing, cobbled lanes – this summer, discover one of southern France’s most tantalisin...
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Why Watford could see more helicopters than ever flying overhead this weekend
A host of helicopters are likely to fly over Watford this weekend due to a record crowd expected for the final day of The British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:24:23 +0100Watford schoolboy named winner at international maths competition
Jayden Nunkoo Lowtun, from Watford, was among 29 students recognised at the British Youth International College (BYITC) Inspire Awards 2026.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:33:15 +0100Yellow heat alert issued - is Watford heading for another heatwave?
Watford could be heading for another heatwave as a new yellow alert from the UKHSA has been shared ahead of expected temperatures past 30C.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:57:00 +0100School broken into FOUR times as equipment destroyed by 'devastating vandalism'
Pupils’ equipment and Chromebooks were destroyed as Maple Cross JMI school was broken into multiple times, suffering “devastating vandalism”.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:54:28 +0100Petition demands speed cameras for area where 'crashes are on the rise'
Calls for speed cameras in Oxhey Hall, Watford, have been backed by dozens of Hertfordshire residents.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:25:00 +0100£2.5m project for 16th century barn featured on Countryfile begins
Work on a £2.5 million project at Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross, which featured on the BBC’s Countryfile has finally begun.