Atria Watford B&M praised as 'what the town needs'

The discount chain’s new store opened at 9am in part of the former John Lewis unit in the lower mall, with gleeful Watford Foodbank representatives cutting the ribbon. 

B&M staff celebrate the launch this morning. (Image: Newsquest) Soon after launching, dozens of people filled the 21,000 square foot shop which has a large selection of food, toys, homeware items, and even Halloween and Christmas decorations.

Inside the 21,000 square foot unit. (Image: Newsquest) South Oxhey resident Roderick Cutler, 58, called the bigger store a “godsend” as the more central location and wider aisles will make it easier for him to go shopping on his mobility scooter.

Roderick Cutler, who uses a mobility scooter, said the wider aisles were a godsend. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I was always hoping we would get a bigger one and I’ve been waiting for this for months.

“It will stop me having to go to Harrow now for specific things for projects. It’s got so many more products and I know it will do well.”

It is B&M's second location in Watford. (Image: Newsquest) Lianne Baillie, 34, headed in for a look with partner Jason Clancy, 54, and said: "I think it is a good addition to the shopping centre as the other one is very limited."

Lianne Baillie and Jason Clancy felt the new shop was a good addition to atria Watford. (Image: Newsquest) B&M is one of the last businesses to launch in the former John Lewis unit after it shut in 2020, but the pair said they do not miss the department store.

Jason, who works at a signage company, felt John Lewis seemed “a bit out of place” in the shopping centre and dog walker Lianne agreed, adding: “I think this is what the town needs for what people can afford. I usually come in once a week to shop.” 

(Image: Newsquest) Watford doctor Ihab Ghaly, 32, added: “I came down to see if there was anything different or any good deals. It is bigger and less far than the other one but it doesn’t seem much different.”

Doctor Ihab Ghaly came to take a look but didn't think it was much different. (Image: Newsquest)

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Store manager Dane Koekoek said he was “excited” for the launch, adding; “It’s a brand new store with a great range of products. There’s been a lot of people so far which is fantastic.” 

(Image: Newsquest) Although the existing High Street outlet is not closing for now, plans were approved in July to transform the site and nearby Watford Market into 141 homes and new retail space.

The larger shop even has space for Christmas items already. (Image: Newsquest) Poundland, Dunelm, Peacocks and Choice have already opened in the divided John Lewis space, while a new adventure park called Flip Out is also set to launch in the 33,000 basement space later this year.