There is no sign of John Lewis reversing its decision to close its store in Watford, despite talks being held between the company's chairman and Watford's mayor and MP.

Dame Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, came to Watford yesterday afternoon (Thursday) to meet with the mayor, Peter Taylor, MP Dean Russell, and managing director at Watford Borough Council, Donna Nolan.

Mr Taylor said earlier this month he hoped a meeting with John Lewis would be an opportunity to "encourage the retailer to stay in the town" - but his comments following yesterday's meeting suggest no U-turn is on the cards.

Mr Taylor said last night: "Like so many people in the town, I was devastated that John Lewis said they will be leaving Watford. They have played a huge part in the lives of generations of local residents. It’s heart-breaking to see hundreds of people lose their jobs.

"'I pressed Dame Sharon on the reasons why they chose to shut their Watford store whilst they paid no rent, what support they would put in place to those staff that lost their jobs and what they would do to try and ensure new retailers would come into this space, given their role as freeholder.

"I also was keen to know if there was anything we could do to encourage John Lewis to stay at their Watford store.

"Dame Sharon was clear about the challenges John Lewis stores face with more online sales and massive business rate bills set by the government. That needs to change urgently and I will do all I can to stand up for people in our town and make sure we have a successful and thriving town centre."

Watford Observer:

Watford MP Dean Russell, bottom left, mayor Peter Taylor, (right) Dame Sharon White, left, and further representatives from the John Lewis Partnership at the meeting on Thursday afternoon

Mr Russell added: "Having handed in the people's petition against the closing of John Lewis & Partnership in Watford, I was pleased to be able to meet with Dame Sharon alongside the mayor.

"Whilst I appreciated her giving an in-depth response as to why the shop has decided to close, I reiterated to her the importance of John Lewis to our town.

"One of my priorities remains ensuring that staff are well-supported during this stressful time.

"Dame Sharon reaffirmed that each staff member would get a £3,000 unique retraining fund package towards a recognised qualification or course.

"The partnership will also provide a £1million community investment fund to be shared amongst the areas in which their shops are closing.

"The wellbeing of our high street and businesses is of paramount importance to me. I will continue to promote investment into Watford and whilst the loss of John Lewis us a blow, our town will recover from this."

The focus appears have switched from saving the store to supporting the futures of the 382 employees at John Lewis in Watford.

Watford Observer:

The shutters are down at John Lewis at intu Watford. Credit: Stephen Danzig

The closure of John Lewis is a blow to Watford town centre and came as a shock to many - more than 12,000 people have signed a petition.

Read more: Shopper calls for John Lewis to give Watford store a 'reprieve'

It is a historic store too - John Lewis opened in 1880 as Trewins on Queen’s Road, before moving into the Harlequin Centre and becoming John Lewis. When they moved into the centre in 1990, they were given a 999 year sub lease, effectively a freehold on their site, meaning they paid shopping centre operator intu no rent.

When John Lewis announced the closure of the department store in Watford on July 9, it said the shop was one that was already "financially challenged" prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite paying no rent, a spokesman said the "overall operational costs of continuing to trade and anticipated footfall" were factored into the proposal not to reopen.