The centre director of Watford’s shopping mall has welcomed Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown, saying it is a “hugely positive leap forward” to reopening the mall for business. Plans outlined by the Prime Minister on Monday will see shops deemed as ‘non-essential’ able to lift their shutters from April 12 at the earliest, while hospitality venues such as restaurants can start serving people outdoors at the same time. And under the government’s plan, hospitality venues will be able to start serving customers indoors no earlier than May 17. Vicki Costello, centre director at the town’s shopping mall, said the news “is welcoming for us and our retailers”.
An updated story can be found here The intu name on Watford’s shopping centre has been removed, a new picture shows, potentially hinting that a new name may be coming soon. Intu Watford has updated its profile picture across its social media platforms today (Wednesday) which shows the intu name on Watford’s shopping mall gone. The updated picture now only shows the word ‘Watford’, with a blank space where the word ‘intu’ used to sit. However, the name ‘intu Watford’ still remains on social media despite the updated profile picture. Intu Watford has been asked about the removal of the intu branding and whether it hints that a new name is coming soon.
By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
intu Watford Residents have been asked not to visit Watford town centre unless “absolutely necessary” after the town was placed in Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions in a bid to combat spiralling infection rates. Vicki Costello, centre director at intu Watford, made the plea following Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday that most of the South East of England would essentially be placed back into lockdown in the new Tier 4. She said: “Following the latest government announcement that Watford will be placed into Tier 4, intu Watford will be closed for non-essential retail from Sunday, December 20 until further notice.