Watford Observer

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:30:00 +0000
TK Maxx parent company's former Watford HQ demolished
A derelict Watford TJX office block that became an eyesore and magnet for ‘urban explorers’ has been demolished.

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 07:25:02 +0000
74-year-old fraudster admits posing as car salesman
A 74-year-old fraudster from Rickmansworth has admitted posing as a car salesman.

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000
BOGOF on Christmas Cactus with You Garden's seasonal gifting offers
There’s just over 50 days until Christmas so if you’re now beginning to think about your Christmas gifting, you’re in the right place.

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Business rated 1/5 for hygiene two years after 'illegal and unsafe' food seized
Watford business Bonsu Afro Shop has been handed a 1/5 food hygiene rating two years after “illegal and unsafe” food had to be seized.

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000
'Tree Planting and Brick Making on Oxhey Green'
Discover Oxhey Green’s history, from OVEG’s 1988 tree planting after the Great Storm to the former Paddock Brick Field in Watford.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:30:00 +0000
Three-car crash shuts M1 in Hertfordshire as police and ambulance called
A three-vehicle crash forced the full closure of the M1 at Watford, Hertfordshire.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:15:00 +0000
Residents' fear as 'over 10 cars keyed' overnight by vandal in same road
Around a dozen cars have reportedly been deliberately scratched near Chester Road in Watford, leaving residents afraid to park there overnight.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:13:24 +0000
'All lanes stopped' on M1 at Watford as heavy traffic builds - recap
All lanes have been stopped and traffic has been held on the M1 southbound at Watford.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:15:00 +0000
'HMO' plans to expand house by almost 70 per cent blocked despite work already done
Councillors have blocked plans to expand a Nash Mills home by almost 70 per cent after work had already begun, amid rumours it would become an HMO.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:10:00 +0000
Superdrug's revamped Harlequin store unveiled with new international range
Staff and customers celebrate the reopening of Superdrug in The Harlequin Shopping Centre in Watford following a 17-week transformation project.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:40:34 +0000
One hour to go until pub reopens with new menus after extensive refurb
The Windmill in Chipperfield will reopen with a new menu this afternoon after a full refurbishment.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:30:00 +0000
Late boost for campaign to save fields as 700-home plan recommended for refusal
Hertsmere planning officers have recommended a 700-home plan for Bushey be refused as “inappropriate development within the green belt”.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:30:00 +0000
Country lanes around Watford could be set for lower speed limits
Hertfordshire County Council could soon lower the speed limits in country lanes around Watford.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Save up to 20% on Riviera Travel’s 2027 holidays in Black Friday sale
Riviera Travel’s Black Friday sale has landed and right now, you can save up to 20% on selected 2027 holidays.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Watford Monopoly board release date confirmed
Watford's Monopoly board is set to be released on November 20, with the game now available to pre-order.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:24:13 +0000
Prominent magazine heaps praise on 'excellent' pub near Watford in new review
A village pub near Watford has been heaped with praise by The New Statesman magazine.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:15:00 +0000
Hertfordshire dog daycare owner who hit dog with hose set for crown court sentencing
A Kings Langley woman's case over animal welfare breaches at a dog daycare in Hertfordshire has been sent to St Albans Crown Court.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 14:42:43 +0000
Beloved store's closure brought forward to this weekend amid housing plan
Bushey's last remaining greengrocer is set to close this weekend, months earlier than originally planned.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:15:00 +0000
'Mindless and reckless' joyrider tears up cricket field and village common
A “mindless” joyrider has wrecked Kings Langley Cricket Club's outfield by spinning donuts across the grass.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:30:16 +0000
Heavy Hertfordshire M1 traffic after oil spill and vehicle fire - recap
A fire engine has been called to the M1 in Hertfordshire this afternoon as heavy traffic builds on the motorway.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:55:00 +0000
No trains on Watford Junction line all day amid 'crew shortage'
Buses will replace trains all day on the Abbey Line between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey all day due to a shortage of crew.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:25:00 +0000
Harlequin Watford business reopens with live DJ tomorrow after 17-week refurb
Superdrug Harlequin Watford will reopen after a 17-week transformation tomorrow.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:50:00 +0000
North Watford 'stabbing' hearing adjourned with no plea entered
No plea has been entered after the case over an alleged North Watford stabbing last month was due in St Albans Crown Court.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:10:00 +0000
£2.5bn data centre developer plays down water fears as it closes in on approval
The developer behind a £2.5bn Watford data centre for the former Mercure Hotel has played down fears over its water use after officers recommended approval.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Get up to 20% off in Gini London’s mid-season sale event
Now is the time to upgrade your autumn wardrobe for less with Gini London.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Man denies keeping brothel in high street but admits controlling prostitution
A man accused of being a pimp in The Parade, Watford, has admitted controlling prostitution but denied running a brothel.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:25:31 +0000
£1.15m home with countryside views and versatile outbuildings hits the market
£1.15m four-bedroom detached house for sale in Kings Langley with countryside views, garden, outbuildings, home office, garage and station nearby.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:05:40 +0000
Kings Langley bungalow with double garage and outbuildings on sale for £1.25m
Three-bedroom detached bungalow for sale in Kings Langley at £1.25m, featuring landscaped gardens, a double garage, outbuildings and potential extra bedroom.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:31:20 +0000
'Bushey Halloween and Bonfire Nights - it was all so simple back then'
Bushey residents recall Halloween, Guy Fawkes Night and Bonfire Night in the 1960s and 70s, from homemade costumes and Guys to fireworks and ghost stories.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:17:50 +0000
Council confirms tree protection order for former Penfold Park golf course
Three Rivers Council confirms a Tree Preservation Order protecting trees at former Penfold Park Golf Club, St Albans Road, Leavesden, amid development plans.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:03:35 +0000
Watford General neonatal unit earns Gold accreditation for family-centred care
Watford General Hospital neonatal unit wins Bliss Gold accreditation for family-centred care, supporting parents with 24-hour access and expert support.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:37:24 +0000
Plans to demolish Potters Bar garages and build new home
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:17:22 +0000
Swimming pool among latest Dacorum planning applications
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Dacorum Borough Council this week.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:39:42 +0000
Pool house and garage included in this weeks planning applications
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Three Rivers District Council this week.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:26:26 +0000
Watford council validates plans for rear, front and side house extensions
Here are the latest planning applications validated by Watford Borough Council this week.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:15:00 +0000
Flooding nightmare as road fills with water five times in a week
Residents have faced misery as their road has flooded five times in a week, with water rising higher and higher.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:30:00 +0000
Business closed after 'hundreds of tonnes of dumped soil' sparks investigation
A Bushey business has been closed pending an investigation after “tonnes” of soil was dumped at its site.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:15:00 +0000
Family business' touching goodbye as closure announced after 30 years on High Street
The Flower Shop in Bushey has shared a touching goodbye message after more than 30 years as a high street fixture.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:50:00 +0000
Two Hertfordshire National Lottery winners plan dream homes after £20m wins
Bovingdon and Hemel Hempstead lottery winners have scooped nearly £20m between them and are planning new homes.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:55:00 +0000
'Apsley knifeman' - suspect due in court next week over 'blade and sexual assault'
The alleged knifeman charged with sexual assault in Belswain's Lane Apsley will appear in court next week after yesterday’s hearing.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:15:00 +0000
Land for 18-storey scheme up for sale - 'flats, hotel, or more floors could be built'
The land for an 18-storey Watford co-living development has been put up for sale with an extra floor, traditional flats, or hotel apparently on the cards.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Poundland 'days from collapse' as Harlequin Watford store among branches 'at risk'
Poundland is “days away from collapse”, according to Sky News, putting stores including its Harlequin Watford branch at risk.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Get 20% off Lakeland when you spend more than £50 online
Lakeland's Spend & Save event is now on!

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0000
'Stress and anxiety' in road after X symbols scratched into cars
X-shaped marks have been scratched into cars in Chester Road, West Watford, leaving neighbours worried theirs could be next.

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Man due in crown court over Watford 'stabbing' today
A man will appear in court today accused of stabbing a victim in St Albans Road, North Watford last month.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:50:09 +0000
Cassiobury Park Tea Pavilion marks 100 years with music and fancy-dress run
Watford’s Tea Pavilion celebrates 100 years in Cassiobury Park with live music, fancy dress, cake cutting and a historic photo display from November 14.

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:44:42 +0000
Watford Junction to London Euston trains set for disruption all day - recap
Disruption is set to last until the end of the day after damage to overhead electric wires between London Euston and Watford Junction.

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:09:22 +0000
Crash causing heavy M25 traffic as lanes shut - recap
Two lanes of the M25 are currently closed on the way into Hertfordshire from Essex and London following a crash.

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:30:00 +0000
Hertfordshire M1, M25, and A1(M) closures this week with works starting tonight
The M1, M25, and A1(M) are set for plenty of overnight closures this week, with works in Hertfordshire.

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:10:00 +0000
'Sinkhole' near school appeared under bus stop - latest closure details confirmed
Highways officers are investigating after a possible sinkhole was found under a Clarendon Road, Watford town-centre, bus stop.

home