Watford Observer

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:18:06 +0000
Traffic stopped after M25 crash - live updates
Clockwise M25 traffic was stopped between Chorleywood and Chandlers Cross after a crash this morning.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:50:00 +0000
Trio of homes to become HMOs for up to 18 people
A trio of HMOs have been approved at once for a West Watford Road.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:17:00 +0000
Get 10% off Wentworth Puzzles' Spring Collection
Ok, so we’re mid-February (still technically winter!) but spring is coming.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Topshop coming to Hertfordshire as return to UK high streets confirmed
Topshop will be returning to Hertfordshire this week as part of a John Lewis deal that will return the brand to Britain's high streets.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Shuropody team find success with thriving independent business
More than a year after being left jobless by its sudden closure, former Shuropody staff have found success striking out on their own with Healthy Heel.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:23:00 +0000
Potholes turning road into 'Winter Olympics slalom course'
A Watford resident has hit out at the state of potholes in The Gossamers, likening his road to a Winter Olympic Slalom course.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:20:00 +0000
Huge data centre plan to benefit from £40,000 of government funding
The government has announced £40,000 in funding for a heat network to support the controversial data centre that has been proposed near the M25 in Hertfordshire.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:14:24 +0000
'Watford gridlocked' after 'sudden' road closure - recap
There are reports of "very slow moving" traffic near Bushey Arches this afternoon after Aldenham Road was suddenly shut.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0000
Designs for 500-home development site under consultation
Building on the Shendish Manor site, with potential for 500 homes, near Kings Langley, forms part of an 11,000-home consultation.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:05:00 +0000
Traffic chaos amid 'very serious' crash near Hertfordshire M25
Motorists in Hertfordshire are facing long delays this afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash on the clockwise M25 between the M40 and Rickmansworth.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:55:00 +0000
Co-Space set to run new £10 million Innovation Hub
Co-Space is set to run a new £10m Innovation and Incubation Hub in Watford’s Town Hall Quarter.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:51:24 +0000
Multi-vehicle M25 crash causing long Hertfordshire delays - recap
Traffic is stopped on the M25 in Hertfordshire due to a "multi-vehicle" crash between Rickmansworth and the M40

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:15:00 +0000
Herts snowboarder takes gold for Team GB at Winter Olympics
Hemel Hempstead's Charlotte Bankes has won gold for Team GB at the Winter Olympics 2026 alongside partner Huw Nightingale.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:05:00 +0000
'All powers will be used' to preserve historic print site - but how protected is it?
Watford Borough Council will protect the Odhams clocktower at the Reach site “to the full extent of our powers".

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:57:46 +0000
New supermarket opens in Watford town centre
Watford town centre's newest supermarket has arrived with the official opening of La Mart.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:15:00 +0000
Repairs underway after 'new fountain' leak flooded junction
Road closures remain in place after a leak turned a North Watford junction into a “new fountain”.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:38:00 +0000
Town centre steakhouse reopening in new unit after closure
Watford town centre looks set to welcome the return of Boga Steakhouse after signage went up at its new home near Canvas in The Parade.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:26:00 +0000
Latest weather forecast amid 'chance of snow' in Hertfordshire on one day this week
Forecasters have pulled back on predictions of snow this week, but there is still a chance it will fall in Watford and elsewhere in Hertfordshire on one day.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:32:34 +0000
True extent of huge 'sinkhole' revealed as surface falls away
More of the surface falling away has revealed the true extent of the huge void in a South Oxhey Road.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000
Flood alerts in place for Hertfordshire including River Colne
A flood alert is in place for the River Colne in Radlett as well as the River Lee and River Ivel elsewhere in Hertfordshire today.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Hertfordshire M1, M25 and A1(M) all set to close for roadworks this week
The Hertfordshire sections of the M1, M25, and A1M will all see closures due to roadworks this week.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:16:54 +0000
Save on your family adventures at Go Ape
While we’re in limbo waiting for spring to arrive, do not despair as there are plenty of adventures to be had for the whole family.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000
The Watford restaurant that earned Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award
Since opening, Humo on King Street has established itself as a firm favourite with Watford diners.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000
Village pub near Watford thriving under new leadership
The owner of a The Cock Inn, in Sarratt, aims to keep it “welcoming and full of character” after reflecting on a “whirlwind” six months since taking over.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Watford High Street restaurant unit put on the market
The former unit of Watford High Street restaurant Taouk has been put on the market after its closure.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000
Major data centre proposed for Hemel Hempstead
Latest Dacorum planning applications include Hemel Hempstead data centre, golf club swing studio, home extensions, tree works and Berkhamsted refurbishments.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000
Further childhood memories of Watford lost in time
Local history columnist Lesley Dunlop continues to recount the personal memories of a young man growing up in Watford between 1912 and 1919.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:23:37 +0000
Motorbike rider in hospital after crash with car outside Hertfordshire school
A motorbike rider is in hospital after crashing with a car outside a school in Hertfordshire.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000
Nostalgic snap of horse-drawn milk cart being led past long-lost hotel
Look back to when horse-drawn milk cart was led through a snowy Watford High Street past the Rose and Crown Hotel on corner of Market Street.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Barn converted into house among new planning applications
Latest planning applications to Three Rivers District Council include home extensions in Sarratt, Croxley Green, and barn conversion in Rickmansworth.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000
House next to school could be demolished for block of flats
A single house could be knocked down for five flats under plans which sparked more than 140 objections.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000
Luxury home with indoor pool and cinema put on sale for £1.8m in leafy area
An indoor swimming pool and a cinema room are standout features of a house in Hempstead Road, Watford, listed for £1,795,000 with an indoor pool, cinema room and landscaped garden.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000
Meet Ozzie, the hilarious and loving French Bulldog looking for a forever family
Meet Ozzie, a three-year-old French Bulldog at the National Animal Welfare Trust, Watford. Friendly, confident, and ready for adoption in the UK.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Indian restaurant's alcohol licence bid among latest public notices
A round-up of the latest public notices including an application to sell alcohol from an Indian restaurant and planned Watford-area road closures.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:27:00 +0000
The 'chocolate box' Hertfordshire village in running for prestigious award
A village in the Hertfordshire countryside is in the running to win a prestigious national award - here is what makes it special.

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Highly rated 'stunning' restaurant serving 'pizza to die for' in Hertfordshire
Zio's Pizzeria in Harpenden has been described as “just gorgeous” and among the best pizzas in Hertfordshire.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000
The rage room that lets you vent your frustration demolishing things
Rage rooms are booming across the UK, from Maidstone to Newcastle, offering adults a unique stress relief experience by smashing household items for fun.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000
BBC Elstree redevelopment moves forward as new planning details submitted
Latest Hertsmere planning applications: new homes, house extensions, shopfront changes, tree works, and EV chargers in Borehamwood, Radlett, Potters Bar.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:23:14 +0000
Busy Hertfordshire road closed after crash near school
Police are at the scene of a crash near a secondary school on a busy road in Hertfordshire. Live updates here.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:18:05 +0000
Three charged after £1 million worth weight-loss drugs stolen in St Albans
Three men have been charged after weight-loss drugs worth about £1 million were stolen in St Albans.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000
The next Watford street set for a revamp - and how you can have your say
Vicarage Road is the next area of Watford set for upgrades to its paving and planting as part of moves to make the town safer and greener.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000
Meet the fitness coach making 'a powerful difference' in care homes
James Lewis, who runs James Lewis Fitness has delivers tailored movement sessions in care homes which make a "a powerful difference".

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000
Eight Instagram-worthy places you need to visit in Hertfordshire
From ancient woodlands to dramatic ruins and storybook villages, Hertfordshire is packed with locations that are perfect for photos.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000
Watford musical group to perform Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Priscilla Queen of the Desert comes to Watford Palace Theatre, May 12-16, with Cassio Productions presenting the hit musical packed with disco classics.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:45:00 +0000
Watford’s most and least expensive streets revealed in house prices data
Watford’s least and most expensive streets to buy a home have been revealed for 2025, according to new data.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:55:59 +0000
'Trespasser' blocks Watford lines with trains cancelled
Trains to Watford are cancelled and delayed due to a trespasser on the lines. More to follow.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:12:21 +0000
Hit BBC One drama Ludwig among TV shows filmed in Three Rivers
Television series filmed in Three Rivers in 2025 included Ludwig, the hit BBC detective series starring David Mitchell.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000
Council discriminated against disabled residents over tax, court finds
Three Rivers District Council discriminated against disabled Abbots Langley Residents with its tax reduction scheme, a court has declared.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:54:00 +0000
Five of the best Hertfordshire spots to see snowdrops
Snowdrop season has begun in the UK and this popular winter flower is starting to appear across the county. We’ve picked some of the best spots to see them in Hertfordshire.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Plans filed for major six‑metre extension submitted to Watford
Latest planning applications in Watford: home extensions, garage conversions, loft alterations, and tree works submitted to Watford Borough Council.

home