There’s no getting around it - 2021 thus far is not quite the new start and the return to life as we knew it that we had all hoped for.
After a pretty torrid 2020 that involved changing lockdown restrictions and long periods of not being able to do much of what we took for granted in life, 2021 so far has been characterised by the third national Covid lockdown.
We were just a few days into the New Year when Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had "no choice" but to reintroduce strict restrictions.
And the retail and hospitality industry has taken a battering over the last 12 months, with shops and restaurants having closed.
We have taken a look at some of the shops and restaurants we have lost from our High Street during the Covid pandemic.
John Lewis
Watford town centre suffered a huge blow in July after John Lewis announced its historic store would not be reopening.
John Lewis closed eight stores – including two of its major department stores in Watford’s shopping centre and Birmingham.
The company says the eight closures will “secure the business’s long-term future and respond to customers' shopping needs”.
Shoppers showed their support for the historic Watford store in John Lewis when the closure was announced with more than 13,000 people signing a petition to ‘save John Lewis Watford’.
Petition creator Caroline Sampson described the closure as “devastating” for Watford and urged the company to keep a presence in the town.
Debenhams
Debenhams at Watford’s shopping centre closed in June after saying it was unable to agree a new rent.
Debenhams only opened its store in Watford in September 2018 as part of the £180 million extension at intu Watford.
The store featured the UK’s first redesigned beauty hall complete with a gin bar, with a focused personal shopping experience and was dubbed a new "flagship" store for Debenhams.
It was recently replaced with a new Next and Beauty Store.
Disney store
The Disney store appears to have become another shop at Watford’s shopping centre that has closed its doors for good.
A recent picture shows all the Disney branding removed from the shop unit where the store has sat for several years.
Google also states that the Disney store at intu Watford has permanently closed, while the store is not listed on Disney’s website.
When Disney was asked if the store had been closed for good, a spokesperson said: "In line with current advice and evolving public health and Government guidelines our Watford store has been closed down. As of this moment we do not have any information for re-openings."
Zizzi
Zizzi was one of several Italian restaurants that closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
It emailed customers in October announcing its time in Watford had come to an end.
The email said: "The last few months have been particularly tough for many of us, including the hospitality industry.
"We've had to make some incredibly difficult decisions & we're sorry to say that there are no plans to reopen Zizzi Watford.
"The great news is that there is still a Zizzi not too far. We're pleased to tell you that Zizzi St Albans is now your nearest restaurant."
Zinco
Zinco on The Parade, which was popular with Hornet fans, closed after the company, Zinco Restaurants Ltd, which owns the branch was dissolved.
Two companies under the same ownership but under similar names applied to become dissolved.
The first, Zinco Restaurant Ltd, applied in November last year and it dissolved in February.
The second, Zinco Restaurant (Watford) Ltd dissolved in April.
The company's website has now been taken down, as well as its Visit Watford page and its number is now invalid.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia was yet another restuaunt to be lost during the coronavirus pandemic.
Casual Dining Group, which owns Bella Italia, entered administration in July, saying the move was in the best interest of stakeholders during the “extreme operating environment” it is having to trade through.
The list of closures included 35 Bella Italia stores, one of which was in Watford town centre.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel