With Papa Johns and Ready Burger recently shutting they have joined the list of brands closing in Watford.

While the high street has seen a strong enough range of business openings this year to allay some fears around those that have closed, many will still be sad to see favourites go.

These businesses have left their units in Watford since the start of the year.

Papa Johns

Papa Johns has confirmed this week that its St Albans Road location is among 43 UK restaurants to be axed within the next two months.

The list of confirmed locations comes after the takeaway business shared plans to shut a raft of “underperforming” restaurants earlier this year.

The Market Street site was not on the list.

Ready Burger

Watford Observer: Ready Burger's former Watford unit.Ready Burger's former Watford unit. (Image: Newsquest)

Despite only opening in Watford High Street in September, Ready Burger was listed as permanently closed this month.

The affordable vegan brand’s Crouch End location is also listed as closed and its website has been taken down.

Grounded Kitchen

Grounded Kitchen’s former High Street unit was put up for rent in February without an announcement.

It was listed as closed and removed from the company’s website.

Honest Burgers

On January 25, Honest Burgers closed its Market Street restaurant after first opening there in April 2022.

The Brixton-founded brand set itself apart by making everything itself with fresh ingredients and meat coming from its own butchery.

It said the decision was due to “a change in customer demand in the area”.

Shoezone

Watford Observer: Shoezone in Watford High Street.Shoezone in Watford High Street. (Image: Contribution)

The closure of Shoezone’s Watford High Street location had been more than on the cards for a long time before it had its final day of trading on January 6. It had displayed “closing down” signs in the window for half a year.

The discount brand still has a location inside Asda at The Dome roundabout.

Pryzm

Just making the list by a matter of hours, Pryzm closed in Watford immediately after its final night of non-stop partying on New Year’s Eve.

Prior to the event, owners Rekom had confirmed that it had failed to reach an agreement to stay open with its landlord.

Within weeks of the Watford closure, Rekom had hired administrators.