Watford Observer
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:01:53 +0000Major house fire sparks emergency services investigation - live update
Firefighters tackled a major blaze in Bushey Heath yesterday evening, with details expected to be confirmed soon.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:31:54 +0000'Miles of congestion' as lorry breakdown blocking M25 - live updates
There are miles of congestion on the M25 this morning after a vehicle breakdown shut two lanes.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:33:06 +0000Up to 1,000 jobs at risk amid reports of cost-cutting at Herts-based big business
Hertfordshire-based business Ocado is reportedly drawing up plans that could put 1,000 jobs at risk.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:57:19 +0000Burglar jailed after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and scotch
A man has been jailed for 32 months after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and aged scotch from a garage in Hemel Hempstead
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:42 +0000Road closure in place for hours as emergency services battle blaze
Emergency services have been battling a blaze in Hartsbourne Close in Bushey overnight with road closures in place.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Showcase day celebrates Watford businesses and charities
Watford Rotary Club hosted a community showcase at Holywell Community Centre, highlighting local volunteering, charity projects, and membership opportunities.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000'Printing is in Watford's blood' - shock and worry over iconic site's closure
Current and former workers at Reach’s Watford print site have been left in “shock” by the closure of a key part of the town’s heritage.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:29:00 +0000'Waitrose to open new store' as part of 150-home development
North Bushey county councillor Laurence Brass has claimed that a new Waitrose store could be opening as part of the redevelopment of the Bushey Golf and Country Club site.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:00 +0000Save on February staycations with Sykes Cottages
Whether you're looking to explore the countryside with your family or a break by the sea, there's something for everyone from Sykes Cottages this February.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:45:00 +0000ITV's The Chase star to host Palace Theatre quiz night
ITV game show The Chase star Shaun Wallace, 'The Dark Destroyer', will help launch 1908 Cabaret creative space at Watford Palace Theatre.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:25:00 +0000High Street restaurant to reopen with upgraded facilities after refurb
Watford High Street restaurant Fratelli is set to reopen with upgraded facilities next week.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:40:00 +0000Mayor highlights importance of apprenticeships in Watford
Early years apprenticeships in the UK surge 21%, making childcare the fastest-growing sector. Watford mayor visits Montessori Apprentice Academy.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:41:20 +0000Motorway 'to remain closed for hours' after multi-vehicle crash
The M25 is closed between the M40 and Maple Cross in Hertfordshire after a multi-vehicle crash.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:02:21 +0000'Hour-long delays' as M25 shut after crash - recap
The clockwise M25 is currently shut between junction 16 and 17 - for Maple Cross - following a crash.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:24:18 +0000Hertfordshire fare dodger spared jail term over 112 unpaid train tickets
A Hertfordshire train fare dodgers has been spared jail over 112 convictions for not paying for a ticket on journeys spanning nearly two years.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:11:55 +0000Exact days it could snow in Hertfordshire revealed
The latest weather forecast has revealed that there is a chance of snow in Watford and Hertfordshire in the next week.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000Vibrant celebration of culture brings community together
Watford Portuguese Association hosted a cultural event at Holywell Community Centre with music, food, and dance.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:54:00 +0000Closure date for one of Watford's top-rated pubs confirmed
The closure date for highly rated Watford pub The Southern Cross has been confirmed.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Sentimental snaps of last days of Vicarage Road terrace
A look back 33 years to when the Vicarage Road terrace was demolished to build a new all-seater stand at Watford FC.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000'Hidden gem' Watford café goes TikTok viral
A TikTok video hailing the "hidden gem" that is Watford's Unit VII café has been seen more than 250,000 times.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:51:00 +0000Decision to block 600-home plan 'made amid abuse and intimidation', says advocate
A pro-housebuilding representative has complained of “abuse and intimidation” at a meeting which blocked plans for 600-homes in Croxley Green.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:05:00 +0000Why calling Watford 'the UK's worst large town' is 'completely wrong'
The Telegraph ranking Watford Britain’s worst large town has been slammed as “completely wrong”.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:25:15 +0000Woman dies after being hit by car while loading shopping in Herts
A 65-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car while loading shopping in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:20:00 +0000Watford man charged over weapon and cocaine possession
A Watford man is one of three people who have been charged after knives and drugs were seized in St Albans.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:45:00 +0000New grant scheme can boost local community projects
New Three Rivers grant scheme offers up to £500 for community projects as part of Grove Court redevelopment by Thrive Homes and Howarth Construction.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:40:00 +0000Clothes swap in Watford to promote sustainable fashion and reduce waste
West Herts College hosts a Watford clothes swap on February 23, organised by Veolia and Watford Borough Council, to promote sustainable fashion.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:11:59 +0000Fundraiser launched to support funeral of 'wonderful' teen killed in Herts crash
A fundraiser has been launched to support the funeral costs of a 13-year-old girl killed in a crash in Ware, Hertfordshire last week.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:26:53 +0000Four arrested including 'drug driver' after stolen car stopped in Watford
Four people have been arrested for theft of a motor vehicle and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after a stolen vehicle with cloned plates was stopped in Watford
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000Bus stops 'won't be fixed until summer' as users get 'drenched'
Watford High Street bus stops with roofs which shattered in a crash will not be fixed until the summer – as users continue to get soaked.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:13:00 +0000Ramp up the romance with a Valentine’s gift from Experience Days
From romantic afternoon teas to exhilarating track-days, pampering spa treatments to thrilling outdoor adventures, Experience Days has an experience to make your Valentine’s heart race.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:40:00 +0000The 7 restaurants near Watford named in the Michelin Guide 2026
Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire restaurants near Watford have been included in the latest Michelin Guide.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:12:00 +0000Odhams memories as historic Watford print site closure confirmed
A look back at the history of publishing giants Odhams Press after Reach announce planned closure of historic Watford print site.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:04:32 +0000Defiant PM refuses to quit at Hertfordshire event this afternoon
PM Keir Starmer was back in Hertfordshire today as he delivered a speech defending his leadership of the country.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:46:37 +0000News giant announces closure of iconic Watford print site
Media firm Reach has announced plans to close its Watford print site as part of UK print consolidation, with work moving to Broxbourne.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:50:00 +0000Snaps of 10 town centre pubs and clubs from 20 years ago
Memories of Area and Destiny nightclubs, and bars including Chicago Rock Cafe, O'Neills and Yates in Watford town centre in 2006
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:50:00 +0000High Street café set to reopen with family 'fulfilling dream'
“Overwhelming” community support has buoyed a family working to reopen The Village Cafe, Bushey.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:55:00 +0000Meet the new headteacher taking over a Watford secondary school in September
The new headteacher for Watford Grammar School for Girls has said she is “immensely proud” as her appointment is announced.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:20:47 +0000Investigation after two die in Hertfordshire aircraft crash
Two men have died after a light aircraft crashed on farmland in Rushden, Hertfordshire.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:45:58 +0000The Horns returning again as reopening date confirmed
The Horns, in Hempstead Road, Watford, will reopen under new management after its sixth closure in three years.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:17:40 +0000Pensioner in 24-hour care with dementia found guilty over unpaid car insurance
A Rickmansworth pensioner with vascular dementia has been convicted in one of Britain’s controversial fast-track courts.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:31:00 +0000Readers can subscribe for just £5 for 5 months in this flash sale
Readers who want to subscribe to our news site can enjoy an exclusive offer of £5 for 5 months or save over 40% off an annual subscription during our limited-time promotion.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000Woman 'heartbroken' after being denied wheelchair because home 'too small'
“Heartbreaking and frustrating” rules have left a Woodside, Watford, resident “housebound” because her home is judged not big enough for a vital wheelchair.
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:12:00 +0000Tiqets offers discounted days out and experiences for Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and with added romance in the air, a romantic day out will most likely be top of the list for many couples.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:25:00 +0000Police investigating two town centre burglaries as flats targeted
Herts Police are investigating a pair of burglaries in High Street and Rosslyn Road, Watford town centre.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:10:00 +0000Minister tells Watford firms there is 'no future' in low growth, high tax economy
Small business minister Blair McDougall MP outlines Labour’s growth plans at Watford business breakfast, discussing VAT, business rates.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Snaps of when a snazzy new bar opened in Watford in the 1990s
A look back at the opening of Wag & Bone Bar in Lower High Street, Watford, in 1993.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:25:00 +0000Inside look as bar to reopen 400+ capacity space after years empty
Watford High Street bar Dunnings II will reopen a 400-capacity space after years of closure this weekend.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:49:00 +0000Councillors vote to slash school's admission places by a third
Councillors have voted in favour of reducing the pupil admission numbers (PAN) at two Hertfordshire primary schools, following a dip in the number of new pupils.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:20:00 +0000Opening date confirmed for new Aldi 30 minutes from Watford
The opening date of a new Aldi supermarket in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, has been confirmed.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:55:00 +0000New business opening in Harlequin Watford after £150k investment
A year of planning and £150,000 investment has gone into an upcoming Chop Wok Express restaurant for the Harlequin.