Watford Observer
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100Watford school makes top 100 in new national list - with six others also scored
Watford's secondary schools have been graded by a national newspaper, with one making the top 100 nationally.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:31:00 +0100Major High Street store to close TODAY
Rickmansworth's TGJones store will close after today (October 17) as it becomes the latest to be axed as part of the high street chain's cost-cutting measures.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Hertfordshire area among most desirable places - how much it costs to live there
St Albans has been named among the UK's most desirable places to live, but how much does it cost to live there?
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:08:10 +0100Green belt caravan site plan recommended for approval
Plans for gypsy pitches on green belt land have been recommended for approval.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:30:00 +0100Watford man who threatened to stab someone set to be sentenced
Watford man Farrah Hall will be sentenced next month for threatening to stab someone.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:39:43 +0100'Multi-vehicle' crash causing 'severe' Hertfordshire M25 delays - recap
A multi-vehicle crash on the M25 in Hertfordshire has stopped traffic between junction 23 and 24 clockwise
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:33:47 +0100Traffic stopped on Hertfordshire M1 due to 'police incident' - recap
Traffic has been stopped in both directions on the M1 in Hertfordshire due to a "police incident" between junction between junction 8 for the A414 Hemel Hempstead and junction 9 for the A5183 Redbourn
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:20:00 +0100Appeal allows 20-home scheme despite claims village being 'destroyed'
Plans for 20 homes have been approved on appeal despite villagers saying developers are “destroying” Sarratt.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0100Watford stalker who made 140 no caller ID calls to victim handed restraining order
A stalker from Watford who made 140 no caller ID calls to his victim has been handed a restraining order.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:55:50 +0100'Sinkhole' investigation closes Watford road
Stratford Way in Watford is closed amid a Hertfordshire County Council investigation into a potential sinkhole.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0100Il Pellegrino brings authentic Italian flavours and regional dishes to Watford
Watford has developed an increasingly diverse food culture in recent years, and Il Pellegrino has established itself as one of the town's most welcoming spots for authentic Italian cooking.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:32:34 +0100Police confirm 'incident' which closed Hertfordshire M25 for three hours this morning
A woman being spotted on a bridge over the M25 in Hertfordshire forced the motorway’s closure for hours this morning.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:58:00 +0100Missing boy, 14, 'now believed to have travelled into Watford'
A missing 14-year-old boy is believed to have travelled to Watford, prompting a Herts Police appeal for residents to look out for him.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:35:00 +0100Watford business' unit goes on market following closure after almost 50 years
The unit for a well-loved Watford business has gone on the market following its closure after almost 50 years.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:45:00 +0100Hertfordshire M25 shut for hours amid 'police incident' - what we know so far
Drivers were trapped on the M25 motorway near Watford in Hertfordshire for hours as a “police incident” shut the motorway.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100Pair of holly trees and festive planters under £50 from You Garden
This week You Garden is getting you ready for the festive season and saving you money too.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100'Speculative' bid for 40 homes on green belt slammed by objectors
"Speculative" plans for 40 homes on the green belt in Bedmond have been slammed by residents and a councillor for the area.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Second suspect arrested over Watford shop break-in as burglar sentenced
Herts Police have arrested a second suspect as the first has been sentenced over a Watford shop burglary.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:22:46 +0100Public notcies to be aware of this week in and around the Watford area
Watford, Abbots Langley, Borehamwood and Carpenders Park face road closures from October 26, alongside planning and licence applications across Hertfordshire.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:34:00 +0100'Heartbreaking' closure of beloved shop confirmed as housing plan approved
Bushey is set to greengrocer Andrew's after its "incredibly disappointed" owner confirmed it will be forced to shut.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:31:41 +0100Closed pub restaurant NOT on list of reopening sites in rescue deal
Recently closed Watford pub restaurant Rising Sun Brewers Fayre looks to have been left out of a 110-location deal to save its chain.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:34:00 +0100The Grove nominated for prestigious Condé Nast excellence award
The Grove hotel on the edge of Watford has been nominated for a prestigious Condé Nast award.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:25:00 +0100Policewoman assaulted fellow cops at temple and was 'reckless' at Watford General
A former Metropolitan Police officer has been barred after assaulting colleagues at a Bushey temple and behaving in a "reckless and unsafe" way at Watford General Hospital.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:39:00 +0100Two teens and 20-year-old arrested over Watford burglary
Two teenagers and a 20-year-old have been arrested over a burglary in Park ward, Watford.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:50:00 +0100HERT trackless trams to revive Watford to Croxley branch as full strategy revealed
HERT plans to reopen the Watford to Croxley rail route and transform transport across Hertfordshire have been revealed.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:17:20 +0100Refurb begins as popular pub closes for two weeks
A popular pub has closed for a two-week refurb aimed at giving it a fresh "sparkle".
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:35:00 +0100Resurfacing in busy Watford road expected to cause traffic issues
Road resurfacing at a busy junction is set to cause traffic issues for the Meriden, Watford, area.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100Warner Bros allowed to use 11 new soundstages without M25 improvements
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, home to Harry Potter filming, has had the condition requiring M25 junction improvements before its expansion removed.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save £400pp on Riviera Travel's 11-night Classic China tour
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Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Damning Ofsted at former 'outstanding' school exposes 'racism and poor behaviour'
Watford's Parkgate Junior School has received a damning Ofsted report that highlights pupils' frequent poor behaviour and racist language.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100HMO use granted upon appeal for former bungalow transformed by 28 applications
A once-quaint Kings Langley bungalow expanded through 28 planning applications and 12 appeals can now be used as an HMO.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:09 +0100A Golden Age! Bushey Greengrocers in the 1960s and 70s
Andrew’s Fruiterer’s in Bushey Heath was rescued by RossCo Greengrocers on March 8, but plans to convert the traditional shop into homes threaten its future.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:05:00 +0100Watford-area curry houses featured in new national top 100 list
Two curry houses near Watford have been named among the UK's best.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:34:00 +010070-home plan returns with approval advised amid 'slam dunk' appeal fears
Rejected plans for 70 homes are back on the table and have been recommended for approval ahead of a crucial vote.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:02:06 +0100Watford town centre eatery confirms permanent closure
Ramen Hozan in Watford town centre will be closing for good this weekend (October 18).
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:03:37 +0100Hertfordshire disruption after person hit by train between St Albans and London
A person has been hit by a train between St Albans City and London St Pancras International, causing disruption in Hertfordshire.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:35:00 +0100Watford pub to shut for more than two weeks during refurb
Watford pub O'Neill's is set to shut for more than two weeks while refurbishment is underway.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:05:00 +0100Pub giant with large Watford presence could sell 300 sites to rival
The UK's biggest pub company is reportedly considering selling 300 of its locations to a rival in a move which could have implications for its Watford venues.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:05:00 +0100Lidl delays opening BOTH new Watford supermarkets in fresh blow
The launch of two new Lidl stores for Watford and Hunton Bridge has been pushed back to next year.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:00:13 +0100Key road set for 10-day closure starting next week
A key road connecting two Hertfordshire villages is set to close for 10 days.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:53:00 +0100Newest flags WILL be removed from lampposts, council confirms
Hertfordshire County Council has confirmed that English and Union flags will be removed from lampposts in South Oxhey.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:35:00 +0100'Early care has transformed my daughter's world - now she’s happy and confident'
Early eye care at Watford General Hospital has transformed a Watford girl’s world.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:45:00 +0100Police U-turn on moving cops out of local stations for start of shifts
Police have U-turned on moving officers out of local stations in Abbots Langley and South Oxhey at the start of shifts.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:40:00 +0100Drunk driver swerved along M25, sped and mounted pavement before crash
A drunk driver who swerved along the M25 in Hertfordshire and mounted the pavement during a police chase has been jailed.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +010015% off orders over £75 at Scream Pretty
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Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100'Appalling' bins at office block converted into controversial flats spark outcry
“Utterly appalling” bins at a controversial converted office block in Kings Langley now housing 74 flats have sparked outcry in a village.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:37:47 +0100Watford Edwardian home on sale for £1.375m with summerhouse and large garden
Edwardian four-bedroom house in Watford listed at £1.375m, with a summerhouse, 2,100 sq ft of space, large garden and parking for several cars.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:25:25 +0100Watford house listed for £1.1m with principal bedroom spanning the entire first floor
Four-bedroom detached house in Watford listed for £1.1m, with a renovated interior, underfloor heating, EV charging and a principal suite with balcony.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:55:02 +0100Borehamwood bingo hall could become immersive visitor and leisure venue
Hertsmere planning applications include a Borehamwood bingo hall conversion, new homes in Potters Bar and Radlett, extensions and tree works in the area.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:45:30 +0100Heathrow West consultation among this week's planning applications
Planning applications include Heathrow West consultation, urgent tree works in Moor Park, a Croxley Green rear extension and Watford medical facility plans.