Watford’s mayor “remains committed” to major local projects - but businesses will get less help after the town's latest Levelling Up Fund snub.

The borough council learned last week that it had been unsuccessful for the second time in securing £16 million from the government.

Projects that would have benefitted from the money include a business innovation and incubation hub, the relocation and modernisation of Watford Museum, the Town Hall Quarter project, and restoring Watford Colosseum.

Watford Observer: A CGI of a new square by Watford Town HallA CGI of a new square by Watford Town Hall (Image: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios)

These are still set to go ahead but may not be with the "maximum benefits", the council says, while other projects may have to be delayed.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said the funding announcement was "extremely disappointing", but added: "I remain committed to these really important improvements.

“I remain confident that we will deliver on the town hall community spaces and Colosseum refurbishment.”

The council is still awaiting news on potential Heritage Lottery Fund funding to invest in the new museum.

“I also intend to deliver a business innovation and incubation hub in Watford to grow the next generation of entrepreneurs,” he added.

“However, without government funding we will not be able to help as many businesses grow in our town or give them all of the support they need."

The council will meet with civil servants to discuss how to increase its chances in a third round of funding.

Borough council cabinet member Mark Watkin said: “We have always been clear that we can deliver most of our projects through our existing budget and we will be progressing with those aspects irrespective of the outcome of this process.

Watford Observer: The council says Watford Colosseum will be a world class entertainment and performance venueThe council says Watford Colosseum will be a world class entertainment and performance venue (Image: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios)

“However, without extra government funding we won’t be able to deliver the maximum benefits of these plans.

“The decision will also have knock-on effects to other projects and may mean we won’t be able to deliver everything as quickly as we would have liked.”

The council said it had been “encouraged” to bid a second time for the money as it was told the first bid was strong.

The mayor criticised the system for causing “frustration” and wasted effort by making councils compete against each other for funding.