Watford Observer
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:51:11 +0000Renewed appeal to find man wanted over assault
Hertfordshire Police have renewed their appeal to find a wanted man with links to Hemel Hempstead.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:19:25 +0000Watford Junction trains cancelled after tree blocks line
A tree blocking the line has led to the cancellation of Abbey Line services between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey this morning (January 27).
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:36:01 +0000Jobs at risk as high street chain with Harlequin branch enters administration
The remaining Watford branch of Claire's is at risk of closure after the high street chain collapsed back into administration.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Harlequin 'aware' of mouse sighting reports at kids' play venue
Harlequin Watford has confirmed it is “aware” of reported mouse sightings inside Rock Up Watford.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Village resident enjoys 'amazing' appearance performing on hit BBC show
A Kings Langley resident enjoyed five minutes of fame by performing a ventriloquism act on Michael McIntyre's Big Show on BBC One.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:49:00 +0000Brewers Decorator Centres’ tips on decorating the fifth wall in your home
When it comes to painting, the use of colour is used most commonly on walls, but what about ceilings?
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:35:00 +0000Family 'lost everything' as fire destroyed Herts home and killed cat
A family from Borehamwood “escaped with their lives but nothing else” after a fire destroyed their home and killed their cat.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:09:00 +0000New 5K parkrun launches as hundreds enjoy opening event
Hundreds of people took part in the first Holywell parkrun 5K at King George V Playing Fields in Watford on Saturday.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000Soul Survivor 'rewarded' with new role despite scandal
Soul Survivor Watford has reportedly been given a key role in overseeing the spending of a multi-million pound budget.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000Memories of three shopping parades in Watford area 30 years ago
A look back at three parades of shops in Croxley Green, South Oxhey and Mill End, Rickmansworth, in 1993.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:32:17 +0000Hemel teen charged with '£19,000 Boots thefts'
A Hemel Hempstead teen has been charged with stealing £19,000 worth of goods from Boots stores in Nottinghamshire.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:00:51 +0000'End in sight' amid 'traffic lights nightmare' at key junction
Traffic light "chaos" at a key Watford junction, of the A405 and St Albans Road, is almost at an end.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:30:00 +0000Hospital workers to run London Marathon after recovering from treatment
West Herts NHS staff to run 2026 TCS London Marathon, raising funds for West Herts Hospitals Charity's Caring for Generations appeal supporting local hospitals.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0000ANPR at infamous width restriction triggers 1,700 fines within months
ANPR at the infamous Woodmere Avenue width restriction’s bus gate in Watford has triggered 1,733 fines within months.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:49:00 +0000How Herts will be affected as Storm Chandra set to batter the UK
Storm Chandra is set to batter the UK in coming days with weather warnings in place - so how will Hertfordshire be affected?
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:15:00 +0000Family restaurant's former unit put on the market
The former Our Brother's restaurant unit in Market Street has been put on the market after its closure.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:36:00 +0000Rogue trader jailed after roof repair fraud targeting pensioners
A rogue trader has been jailed for nine years after committing roof repair fraud worth £140,000 in Hertfordshire and Nottinghamshire.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000Turkey teeth gone wrong? What UK patients should know
Stories about Turkey teeth gone wrong have attracted significant attention across the UK and have contributed to a largely negative perception of having dental treatment abroad. These stories often highlight difficult experiences or unsatisfactory ou...
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:30:00 +0000Cause of 'very, very bad' fire above Watford shop revealed
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that a blaze above a shop in St Albans Road, Watford, was started accidentally.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:18:06 +0000Watford named 'second best place to live in the UK outside London'
Watford has been named as the second best place to live and work outside of London in the 2026 UK Vitality Index.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000Watford to freeze council tax in 'balanced and ambitious' budget
Watford Borough Council plans to freeze its 2026/27 council tax share at £308.51 for Band D, protecting services amid cost-of-living and funding pressures.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:49:59 +0000Disruptive roadworks extended and now set to continue this week
Motorists have been warned to expect fresh traffic delays this week as roadworks in Watford Road, Croxley Green, have been extended until January 29.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 07:42:33 +0000Person de-arrested after multi-vehicle M1 crash
A person has been arrested and subsequently de-arrested following a three-vehicle crash on the M1 near Watford that has put three people in hospital.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000M25 and M1 closures among upcoming Herts roadworks
Upcoming M1, M25, and A1M roadworks are set to cause closures in Hertfordshire, which could create long delays to journeys.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:48:39 +0000Adjustamatic proves savings can be had without risk
Scams have increasingly been the talking point in recent years with us all needing to be vigilant.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:04:00 +0000Gifts left in Harlequin bring 'brightness and joy' to Blue Monday
Gifts from Guideposts Trust were hidden at Watford’s Harlequin shopping centre on Blue Monday to boost mental health awareness and share kindness.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000Renovation at historic paper mill among latest Dacorum planning applications
Dacorum Borough Council reviews new planning applications for home extensions, tree works, historic site repairs, and community amenities across Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, and more.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000Relocating cancer services to Watford 'best for patients, the public and staff'
Watford MP Matt Turmaine explains why he is in favour of relocating specialist cancer services from Mount Vernon to Watford hospital centre.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:34:15 +0000Three people taken to hospital after multi-vehicle crash on motorway near Watford
Three people have been taken to hospital following a multi-vehicle crash on the M1 near Watford this morning.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000Extra e-bikes as Watford cycle hire firm granted five-year extension
Beryl’s Watford e-bike scheme has won a five-year extension from Watford Borough Council to 2031 and will be adding 120 new e-bikes.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000Explore the ‘quintessential’ Herts village with rural charm and stunning scenery
Wheathampstead village in Hertfordshire has been described as quintessential and offering a rural charm with picturesque scenery.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000'Wonderfully generous gift' kick starts Watford homelessness project
New Hope has been given a £1million donation to kick-start a project to bring together its homelessness services under one roof.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:52 +0000Photos show blackened building after ‘very bad’ fire on busy road in Watford
A building was left charred by a fire on a busy road in Watford.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000Trader selling pictures in Watford High Street in 1980s
A look back at shoppers stopping to look at a street stall in Watford High Street in the 1980s.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:59:57 +0000TV anchor stuck on M1 for ‘two hours’ after serious crash near Watford
A GB News TV anchor said he was stuck on the M1 for more than two hours this morning following a serious crash near Watford.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:58:32 +0000Two in hospital after three-vehicle crash on M25 in Hertfordshire
Two people were left in hospital after a three-vehicle crash on the Hertfordshire M25.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000New homes and demolitions in Three Rivers planning applications round-up
Three Rivers District Council reviews planning applications for new homes, extensions, tree works and environmental schemes.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000The Georgian mansion near Watford that became a Hollywood backdrop
Abbots Langley is home to a historic mansion that has become one of Hollywood’s most popular filming locations.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 09:24:14 +0000RECAP after 'serious multi-vehicle' crash shuts part of M1 near Watford
Emergency services remain at the scene of a crash on the M1 southbound this morning.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000'Watford man' arrested over 'child sex offences' after sting
A man believed to be from Watford has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences following a paedophile sting.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000All road closures confirmed for Watford Half Marathon 2026
A list of all the roads that will be closed for next Sunday's Watford Half Marathon among latest public notices.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Dobermann who lost his forever home is searching for a second chance at love
Dobermann Bomma seeks loving forever home via National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000500-strong petition to reopen disused Watford station to be presented
The petition to reopen the disused railway station for West Watford will be presented to councillors next week.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:01:00 +0000Hertfordshire Bridgerton filming locations that you can visit
Ahead of the new season of Bridgerton, we’ve put together a guide to the Hertfordshire filming locations that have featured in the show.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000'Wonderful' circular walk that reveals the very best of the Hertfordshire countryside
The Wyddial Loop is described as “wonderful” and takes you through the Hertfordshire countryside.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000I've been converted from petrol station coffee to supermarket meal deal
A humorous look at British high street coffee shop culture, supermarket meal deals, Costa Coffee, and the quirky realities of modern café life in the UK.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:56:53 +0000Police chase reaches speeds of up to 145mph through East Hertfordshire
A driver was stopped after leading police on a high-speed pursuit through East Hertfordshire, reaching speeds of up to 145mph, according to officers.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000New planning applications for homes in Hertsmere
Hertsmere Borough Council reviews new planning applications for homes, extensions and more in Radlett, Bushey, Borehamwood, and Potters Bar.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:05:00 +0000The Hertfordshire village that famously appeared in A Thousand Blows
Just an hour's drive from London lies the village of Sarratt which has been featured in TV and film.
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000Plan to build luxury homes with cinemas at former gravel quarry
Plans for two ultra-modern five-bedroom homes at a former gravel quarry near Rickmansworth have been submitted.