Mothercare will be shutting its store in Watford after it could not agree a new level of rent with its landlord.

The retailer, which has its HQ in the town, will be closing its store in Watford Arches Retail Park in the "coming weeks".

The company, which specialises in clothing and merchandise for young children, babies, and parents-to-be, says despite months of negotiation, it could not agree a level of rent that made the store "economically viable", leaving no choice but to close.

Staff were made aware earlier this week, the Observer understands.

Mothercare has shut a number of stores across the country in 2019 as part of a major restructuring plan but Watford was not among the 50 or so stores listed - all of those stores have since closed.

But after a rent dispute, Watford has now joined that long list.

The Watford store is also home to Clarks- the future of this branch is unknown - although the shoe retailer does have a branch in intu Watford.

Earlier this year, it was revealed Mothercare sold its Watford office building for close to £15 million as part of a cost-cutting drive.

The British retailer sold the 100,000 sq ft UK headquarters and adjacent warehouse on Cherry Tree Road to BYM Capital and signed a ten-year lease under the sale-and-leaseback deal.

The struggling retailer had to make the savings after a Company Voluntary Arrangement: a way for limited companies who are insolvent to pay creditors over a fixed period.

The nearest Mothercare is in Brent Cross.