intu Watford says it is bringing "more excitement than ever" this festive season, with ten new stores opening just in time for your Christmas shopping.

Sports Direct and clothing store USC has already opened its doors, with shoe shop Sole Trader and Spanish fashion store Mango also arriving this month.

Pizza Hut Express, restaurant chain Cassio Lodge, Asian street food company Chi, and bubble tea seller Mooboo Tea are all also coming to Watford, alongside Therapie beauty clinic.

Since its £180 million pound redevelopment, which has brought a shopping centre extension, shops, restaurants, a cinema, and a bowling alley, intu Watford has become a top 20 destination for retail, leisure, and dining.

Hillingdon Times:

The centre is also gearing up for Black Friday on November 29.

Vicki Costello, centre director at intu Watford, said: "We hope you’ll join us in welcoming these ten brilliant new retailers and restaurants. It’s so exciting that we continue to open new stores every month.

"Our retailers are flourishing, our shoppers are smiling and our footfall is higher than ever.

"This is a redevelopment success story and our centre is going from strength to strength. We couldn’t do it without the hard work of our retailers, the support of our shoppers, and the unwavering commitment of our staff, so thank you to everyone."

On Sunday November 17, the Christmas lights switch-on takes place in the town centre.

Thousands of lights set to illuminate the town all at once, through the streets and inside intu Watford.

Hillingdon Times:

Expect entertainment, refreshments, live music and all the fun of the fair. Inside intu Watford, you’ll be able to spot roaming life-sized unicorns, a baby reindeer and friendly festive elves handing out marshmallows.

The event finale is a fireworks display put on by intu Watford.

Entertainment begins in the town from 2pm with the switch-on at 5pm.

To find out more visit http://www.winterinwatford.com/christmas-lights.php