The deputy mayor unveiled a revamped shopping parade after Watford Borough Council carried out “improvement work”.

Shops along Goodwood Parade, in Courtlands Road, Watford, now has new parking bays, changes to the shop frontages and the fitting of new bollards and bike spaces.

Cllr Peter Taylor attended the launch this weekend, which was organised by the Courtlands Road Residents Association and provided mulled wine, food from the Saffron Restaurant and music from the Watford Brass Band.

Cllr Taylor said: ‘I really enjoyed joining local residents to open the Goodwood Parade last weekend. Thank you to the Courtland Road Residents Association for putting on such a lovely event. We even got a brief appearance from Santa.

“It is so important that we have vibrant shops in the heart of our communities. These improvements will make a real difference to local residents and tidy up a key part of our town.

“I’d like to thank local businesses, local County Councillors and Watford Borough Council for all their hard work getting this project off the ground, including providing the funding for the improvements.”