We asked some leading figures in our town what Watford meant to them. Here is what they said:

Watford MP Richard Harrington:

Hillingdon Times:

Being the MP for Watford is an honour and privilege, and that is because of what this town means to me and what I’ve been lucky enough to achieve here. 
My first experience of Watford was in 1979, when my family and I moved to the area. I started in Watford then, not dreaming I would become the MP. I got my first job in what is now the intu centre, bought my first flat near Bushey Arches and met some of my closest friends here.
Back then, Watford was an old printing town but of course we now have a very diverse economy. 
We are a hub for business with many national and international head offices based here. We are also the home of Harry Potter, as well as a premier league football team! 
Watford is fantastic place to live, with a great sense of community and a real opportunity for people to thrive.

Watford Mayor Peter Taylor:

Hillingdon Times:

I am so proud to call Watford home. It is a wonderful place to raise a family, with fantastic parks, excellent schools but above all people who genuinely care about each other. Our town welcomes people from every background and has so many vibrant voluntary, community groups. I love the fact that we are a diverse and ambitious town, confident enough to ‘be bold’. That confidence is demonstrated by our premiership football club, growing businesses and boxing world champion. We certainly punch above our weight in more ways than one!

Watford BID chief executive Maria Manion

Hillingdon Times:

Watford feels different to other places I’ve worked, lived, or visited for any length of time. On one hand it feels almost city like with a major shopping centre, a premiership football club, a superb theatre, a live music venue that attracts big name performers, its strong night time economy and its beautiful, well maintained parks and open spaces.  While on the other hand there’s a fantastic sense of community in Watford and this inherent pride among those that live and run businesses here that is synonymous with a smaller town or village.  Residents choose to eat out in Watford, they support their football club, they shop in Watford town centre and because of that Watford is a town that benefits from continual investment.  It’s an ambitious town – and that is driven by Watford’s greatest asset – its people.

Christ Luff, chief executive of Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce

Hillingdon Times:

I have lived and worked in and about  Watford pretty much all my life. My mother and father met in the town hall at a dance when they were 17 years old .
Without question Watford is a family town, a place where you would want to bring your kids up.
For me this area has a truly amazing community spirit, so many people willing to get involved. But not just individuals, people from all walks of life  including a really active business community 
From the top down.
Collaboration and partnerships between the major companies in Watford are really delivering positive impacts to the community and to business development.
There is a really cohesive team of business leaders working with a really supportive  pro- business council  focused on making the town a great place to live and work and it is a privilege to be involved.
We also have a great Chamber of Commerce and a Chamber of Conscience working to join up business with the community to build better opportunities for as many people as we can encouraging diversity , equality and inclusion.
AND we have a great football team on our doorstep.