Watford News
The latest Watford news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
Watford Parking: 3 More Officers, 27% More Tickets
Three extra civil enforcement officers produced 27% more penalty charge notices than 2024, Watford Borough Council's own scrutiny annual report says.
More stories
Chorleywood
Ricky Road Run 2026: Chorleywood, Sun 18 Oct, 9.30am
The 42nd Ricky Road Run, a 10-mile race for four charities, starts at 9.30am on Sunday 18 October at Chorleywood Working Club. Entry is £28 to £32.
Watford
Watford House Prices Down £2,821 in a Year to £404,299
Watford is the only one of Hertfordshire's ten districts where prices fell over the year, down 0.7% to £404,299 in July. Flats fell hardest, by 2.6%.
Watford
Watford Parking: Six Apps Now Work, Not Just RingGo
You can now pay for council parking in Watford with six apps, including JustPark and PayByPhone. The council's own pages still name RingGo alone.
Jobs
Watford Claimant Count: 3,235, and the Rise Is All Women
Women claimants in Watford rose by 70 in a year while men fell by 30, the reverse of Britain. The borough is still Hertfordshire's highest at 4.6%.
Transport
Lioness Line Suspended at Watford Until About 1.45pm
A sewage leak at Watford High Street has stopped Lioness line trains between Watford Junction and Willesden Junction. TfL expects them back about 1.45pm.
Watford Borough Council
Watford Audentior Awards: Nominations Close 25 September
Nominations for Watford's Audentior Awards close on Friday 25 September, across nine categories. The council's own awards pages do not carry that date anywhere.
Council
Watford Council Abolition Paused, May 2027 Election Back On
The government has paused Hertfordshire's four-council plan, so May 2027 is an ordinary borough election again. The council's own page still says otherwise.
Transport
Watford Lower High Street Cycle Plans: Comments Close 29 Sep
Hertfordshire wants to widen the Green Loop path on Lower High Street by taking road space. Drop-in on Thursday, comments close 29 September.
Business
JD Gyms Watford: Opening Late 2026 in Old John Lewis Unit
JD Gyms takes the Harlequin's former John Lewis space, opening late 2026. Nine illuminated signs are now with Watford planners and open for comment.
Council
Watford Council Named 6 Times on UK Service Awards List
Watford appears more often than any other body on APSE's 2026 finalists list, and is one of nine up for Overall Council of the Year on 17 September.
Schools
Watford Girls GCSE Results 2026: 37% of Grades at 8 or 9
Watford Grammar School for Girls published its full grade table: grade 8 was the commonest of 1,805 results. Four other local secondaries published nothing.
Bins
Watford Bin Collections Move a Day From 31 August
Every Watford collection runs a day late from Monday 31 August, so Friday rounds land on Saturday 5 September. Garden waste card payers must renew by the 31st.
Jobs
Watford Claimant Count: 3,220 in July, Youth Claims Flat
Under-25 claims in Watford rose 1.1% in a year while Hertfordshire's jumped 13%. The borough still has the county's highest claimant rate, at 4.5%.
House prices
Watford house prices: £396,385, second cheapest in Herts
Watford's average home reached £396,385 in June, up 2.8% in a year but still £25,965 below its 2022 peak. Only Stevenage is cheaper in Hertfordshire.
Council
Watford's Elected Mayor Was to End in 2028. Now Paused
Watford Borough Council was to close on 1 April 2028, and its replacement would have had a leader, not a mayor. The government paused the plan on 7 September.
Events
Herts Pride 2026 in Cassiobury Park: 22 Aug tickets and times
Herts Pride returns to Cassiobury Park on Saturday 22 August, 12pm to 10pm. Advance tickets £12 (adults), £10 (13 to 17), £30 family, sold until 21 August; under-13s free.
Heritage
Heritage Open Days Watford 2026: 5 free events, 11 to 12 Sept
Watford's Heritage Open Days 2026 line-up: St Mary's bell tower tours, St John's, the Fire Station museum, Pump House tours and a Khaki University talk, all free on 11 and 12 September.
Jobs
Watford claimant count: 3,250 in June, highest rate in Herts
Watford's 4.6% claimant rate is the highest of Hertfordshire's ten districts. 3,250 people were claiming in June; Holywell ward is at 6.3%, Nascot 2.5%.
Community
Museum of Watford seeks silk show co-curators by 31 August
Apply by 31 August to help shape Fabric of Watford, the opening exhibition when the Museum of Watford moves to the Town Hall in 2027. No experience needed.