Watford Observer
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.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:11:52 +0100Woman seen on roof of flats sparks emergency services response
Herts Police, firefighters, and ambulance crews were called out as a woman was seen on the roof of a Watford block of flats.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:55:00 +0100Ex-Watford player Marlon King wins bitter court battle over dad's £600k will
Ex-Watford FC striker Marlon King has won in a court battle with his siblings over their father's £650,000 will.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:38:29 +0100Former NatWest bank opposite Watford Junction to be demolished for flats
Demolition of a former Watford NatWest bank for redevelopment has been approved, with a six-storey replacement on the way.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:12:08 +0100Road shut near town centre amid 'concern for welfare' emergency response - recap
Police, firefighters, and the ambulance service are all responding to a concern for welfare report near Watford town centre, with drones seen.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Five 'hot' bargains to buy right now from High Street TV
From fans to sleeping bags, ice cream makers and pretty much everything in between, High Street TV has some great offers to check out this summer.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100'David and Goliath' public inquiry over 256-home plan begins today
The public inquiry which will decide whether 256 homes can be built on open green fields by Carpenders Park begins today as neighbours are not giving up.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:27:00 +0100Latest summer fun pictures from Watford Observer Camera Club members
Our amazing photographers have been out capturing summer fun – you can enjoy a selection by scrolling down on this page.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:37:41 +0100Festival featuring 70 chambers coming to Hertfordshire's Cassiobury Park
Colourscape, a 10-day immersive festival featuring vibrant light, live music and interactive performances, will transform Cassiobury Park from August 22 to 31.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:07:32 +0100Family fun and food highlight community spirit at Kings Langley Carnival
The Kings Langley Carnival took place on June 27, transforming Kings Langley Common into a lively attraction for all ages between 12pm and 5pm.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:57:52 +0100Mayor raises flag for Armed Forces Day to honour those who serve
The event, held in Watford on June 27, marked Armed Forces Day and featured mayor of Watford Peter Taylor.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:33:04 +0100Plans for large home on edge of Sarratt could add new wing
Here are the latest planning applications validated by Three Rivers District Council in the past week.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:26:06 +0100Former family home could be transformed into supported children’s residence
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Dacorum Borough Council this week.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:16:18 +0100Plans submitted for three-storey hospital block in Watford
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Watford Borough Council this week.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:22:08 +0100Halifax brand to vanish after 173 years as Lloyds confirms major banking overhaul
Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed the Halifax brand will be phased out. Here's what it means for your account, sort code, bank cards, branches and app.