Latest news with #WatfordObserver
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major outdoor retailer with 300 branches to shut store in DAYS with ‘everything must go' sale launched
A MAJOR outdoor retailer with 300 branches is set to shut in days. Trespass is closing its store in West Street, Horsham and has launched an "everything must go" sale. 1 The branch will be shutting its doors for the final time in August, Sussex World reported. Trespass, which sells outdoor clothing and equipment for activities like hiking and camping, is also closing its store in Peterborough's Queensgate Shopping Centre, according to local news reports. However, the exact dates for both of these closures is yet to be confirmed. The Horsham branch is one of several Trespass stores closing this year. Shoppers in Aylesbury saw the closure of their Trespass store in the Friars Square Shopping Centre on May 18, while its store in Leicester shut on March 31. Some of the closures may be due to refurbishment or relocation. Meanwhile, two more stores are due to close their doors later this year. Trespass in Watford's Harlequin shopping centre has put "Closing Down" signs in its windows and is set to close on October 31. According to the Watford Observer, Trespass may relocate elsewhere in town, though this has not been confirmed. The chain's branch on Ipswich's Westgate Street will close on October 18, according to posters in the store windows advertising a closing down sale. Huge high street retailer makes Irish return with first shop opening five years after devastating eight store closure The fresh closures come after Trespass confirmed it would shut six outlets in July 2023. The stores were located in Derby, Harrogate, Canterbury, Solihul, Workington and Chesterfield. In 2024, the chain announced plans to shut 12 more stores, including sites in Coventry, Norwich, and Middlesbrough. More high street closures Trespass isn't the only retailer fading from Britain's high streets. Clothing brand Monki, which is owned by H&M, is closing its Glasgow store in Buchanan Galleries in August. The retailer has already shuttered branches in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, and London earlier this year. New Look has also launched a wave of store closures, with 11 branches shutting already in 2025. Its branch in Neath, Wales, set to close imminently on August 6. Poundland, meanwhile, is closing 37 stores in August as part of a wider restructuring plan following its £1 sale to Gordon Brothers earlier this year. You can see the full list of Poundland stores shutting in August here. Superdrug is set to close two more stores next month, adding to a string of recent closures. The Grantham branch in Lincolnshire will shut on August 9, followed by the Redruth store in Cornwall closing on August 16. Popular homeware chain Lakeland is also preparing to shut one of its high street stores. The Lakeland store on Broad Street in Reading will shut on August 8, the store confirmed to The Sun. Signs in the window announce the closure and an 'everything must go' sale. Lakeland operates 58 stores across the UK and employs around 1,000 staff. The Sun has contacted Trespass for comment.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Gentle, kind and caring' WW2 engineer dies aged 102
Tributes have been paid to a "gentle, kind and caring" Second World War engineer after he passed away aged 102. Dad-of-two John Tatham died at Watford General Hospital on July 4, having lived in Croxley Green since 1957. His son David told the Watford Observer that John was a "true gentleman" with a "wonderfully dry sense of humour", who counted music and football among his passions. On his fond memories of his father, David recalled that "his smile lit up even the coldest room". John with David. (Image: Bethany Tathum.) He was an electronics engineer in the Royal Armouries Ordinance Core between 1942 and 1945 and was awarded the 1934-1945 War Medal for his service. A late in life adopter of the violin, he was a founder member of the Bushey Symphony Orchestra and performed at their 50th anniversary concert earlier this year. When it came to football, he followed a number of teams in the North East where he was born before moving to Croxley Green, later adopting Watford as one of his teams before his son grew up as a Hornet. John Tatham (Image: Bethany Tatham) In recent years he was a particular fan of the women's game, enthusing that - unlike their male counterparts - players "score goals and do not just roll around on the floor". John married wife Marcia in 1964 and the couple had two children - David and Sarah - as well as grandchildren Bethany, Daniel and Owen. John on his wedding day. (Image: Bethany Tathum) Bethany told the Watford Observer that "grandad's hugs were the best hugs".When proposing to Marcia, he told her: "If you marry me, I will always look after you." Crosswords, listening to swing jazz, amateur film-making and mending other people's electronic goods made up John's other hobbies. John was an engineer during WW2. (Image: Bethany Tatham)Speaking to the Watford Observer in 2022 for a piece to mark his 100th birthday, he said: "I just got on with life, I never complained, things were difficult." (Image: Bethany Tathum) He was an incredibly healthy man, with son David noting that the only time he was ever in an ambulance was being transported to Watford General on the day he died. John's funeral is to be held at West Herts Crematorium on July 23 at 3.30pm. John on his 102nd - and final - birthday. (Image: Bethany Tathum) John as a baby being pushed in a pram. (Image: Bethany Tatham)
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I tried the Watford takeaway with a 0/5 food hygiene rating - how bad could it be?
Food Darbar in Whippendell Road is officially Watford's "worst" takeaway, possessing the dubious honour of being the town's only eatery with a 0/5 food hygiene rating. The visited this week to give its verdict. Having visited a few 1/5 rated establishments in my role as the Watford Observer's unofficial "questionable food correspondent", this visit was uncharted territory - the dreaded "nul points" from food hygiene inspectors. "Major improvement" was deemed to be necessary in the management of food safety, and cleanliness and condition of facilities - although the council recently allowed it to reopen after being satisfied that the risks had been addressed. So, how bad could it really be? (Image: Liam Fitzpatrick/Newsquest) Tucked away in a quiet part of Whippendell Road and nestled between other shops, Food Darbar only initially stands out because of its bright yellow signage. The Indian and Afghan eatery opened earlier this year, taking over the unit once occupied by BVRGR CO. (Image: Liam Fitzpatrick/Newsquest) Inside, it is small and a little cramped, although there's nothing that immediately screams "0/5 for cleanliness" - while not spotless, it is hardly the dirtiest place you will ever set eyes on. Food Darbar's menu appears to have something for everyone, offering dishes including burgers, kebabs and pizza. I went for a chicken doner kebab on this lunch visit, priced at a reasonable £5. (Image: Liam Fitzpatrick/Newsquest) The food itself was nothing to write home about - I have had both better and worse - but at time of writing I am yet to drop dead or suffer food poisoning, so will count that as a win! Joking aside, this was a reasonably priced lunch that did the trick on a busy day. In the wake of being hit with a 0/5 rating, Food Darbar's management did not respond to multiple requests for comment, although Watford Borough Council has said improvements have been made. Liam Fitzpatrick (Image: Liam Fitzpatrick/Newsquest) If you did not know the business had this rating, it would not be immediately obvious upon stepping inside - perhaps testament to the work done since April's inspection. On the whole, this was a solid, if unspectacular, meal - albeit one eaten with food hygiene fears in mind. Hopefully a reinspection will see the albatross removed from the neck of this business once and for all.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The next 21 teams from Watford Observer's junior football photo special
Another football season is coming to a close but we wanted to show our support for local youth football by shining a spotlight on local clubs and school sides. This week the Watford Observer published a special 16-page supplement featuring those clubs and schools who sent us their pictures for inclusion. The second batch of 21 teams are pictured below. The first set were published on online yesterday and can be seen via this link, but if your side has not appeared yet keep an eye on this website tomorrow. Croxley Green FC Girls U10 Onyx (Image: Supplied) Croxley Green Onyx U10 Girls (Image: Supplied) Croxley Green Onyx U12 Girls (Image: Supplied) Croxley Green U10 Open Girls (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Eagles U10's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Falcons U10's (Image: Supplied) Evergeen Falcons U13's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Falcons U15 Girls (Image: Supplied) Evergreen FC Dragons U10 Girls (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Griffin Whites U11 (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Hawks U17 Girls (Image: Supplied) Evergreen Ravens U10's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U7 Bulldogs (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U7 Eagles (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U7 Hornets (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U7 Tigers (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U8's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U8's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U8's (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U11 Spartans (Image: Supplied) Evergreen U14 Pythons (Image: Supplied)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘94 per cent' of Watford fans disagree with Cleverley sacking
The vast majority of Watford fans disagreed with the club's decision to sack Tom Cleverley, according to a Watford Observer poll. (Image: Alan Cozzi/ PA) NINETY-FOUR per cent of fans think Watford were wrong to sack Tom Cleverley, according to a Watford Observer poll, as owner Gino Pozzo hit back at scathing criticism. 'Madness', 'embarrassing' and 'absolutely ridiculous' were among the more sanitary reactions in our various comments sections – giving a flavour of many fans' feelings after his 14 months in charge was brought to an end. While plenty conceded Cleverley must shoulder some blame for a dismal 2025, the vast majority remained unequivocal that firing him was wrong. Even Watford's greatest ever player, Luther Blissett, branded it 'a total and utter farce'. The club's official statement was packed with effusive language thanking Cleverley for his service. It has been a 'privilege' to work with him, they said, and he will 'always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years'. But they added 'the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship season'. Within 24 hours of a Watford Observer poll launching, around 3,000 fans said WFC were wrong to sack Cleverley compared to 180 backing the club. Plenty of fingers were pointed at the board with claims that not investing in quality players – particularly in January amid key injuries – was the major reason for Watford's form. Gino Pozzo (Image: Alan Cozzi) Pozzo hit back today (May 7) saying 'we believe we have made the correct decision for the good of the football club. That is the basis for every decision we take.' He added: "Tom is a bright young coach who has a real future in the game, but he needs time to gain experience and in football time is a precious commodity. I felt, to achieve our immediate aims next season, we need a more experienced coach to get the best out of our squad. "Results and performances, certainly after Christmas, were those of a club in a relegation fight and we couldn't allow that momentum to continue into the next campaign.' Responding to a WO survey, Hornets fan Nigel Kemp was one of many to say he thought Cleverley should have been given next season. 'Yes the results may not have been what we wanted, so Tom must take some of the blame, but when he wasn't given any strikers in January – plus the injuries – it mostly lays at the feet of the board,' he said. Cleverley was 'doing the best he could with limited resources', added fellow fan Paul Baker, who claimed WFC having 20 head coaches since 2012 'makes the club a laughing stock'. Pozzo said he has seen the reactions and 'accepts' it, adding: 'I realise there will be some fans who, no matter what we say, are not going to agree with us. This is normal; it's football and I respect that the game is all about strong opinions.' Luther Blissett (Image: PA) Among the most damning reactions was that of club legend Luther Blissett, who voiced disappointment at 'the manner and the way it's been done'. 'Three days after the end of the season, when at the end of the last game Tom has walked around the pitch with his family,' Blissett told the Watford Observer's Andrew French. 'His family are emotionally invested in the club, just like he is. His little daughter was waving to the fans. That family connection is hopefully the lasting image the fans will have of him.' Tom Cleverley (Image: PA) Cleverley signed off with an emotional statement referencing his connection with the players and fans as 'the achievement I'm most proud of', adding he 'wasn't born in Watford or raised in Watford but this honestly feels like home'. The decision brings an end to his nine-and-a-half years at the club as a loanee, player, captain, academy coach and head coach. "To maintain [the] league position and points after selling key players last summer is something we should be proud of, as well as reflecting on why we couldn't sustain our play-off challenge will be something we should all review,' he added. "To the club I'm grateful for the opportunity, the players for their efforts, and the supporters myself and my family will forever appreciate the love and support you have given me on this journey. "I repeat I will be sad that it's over, but full of happiness that it ever happened. And I hope it's not the final time our paths cross. You 'Orns."
