Controversial Coffee Shop

Starbucks have opened a coffee shop in Bircherley Green, despite being refused permission for Change Of Use by East Herts Council.

The shop opened at the beginning of March in premises that were formerly occupied by a restaurant and travel agency, having removed a wall dividing the two retail units. In February, Starbuck's planning application for Change Of Use for the former travel shop was refused. Council bosses have now issued an enforecment notice.

Elsewhere in town, a number of transformations are taking place. In St.Andrew Street, Viva Viva lighting has closed, only to be replaced by a gift shop, Barbara Martin Studios. At the other end of the street, the former home of The Linen Basket has become a children's clothes shop - Boutini. Somewhere between, Lawthers, the independent ladies clothes shop, has closed.

In Maidenhead Street, another transformation has taken place with the metamorphosis of Wings ladies clothes shop into Maiden. This particular retail outlet has seen a number of changes over the last few years, having previous been a men's clothes shop, computer games shop and a gift shop in just a short period of time.

The long awaited Wetherspoons public house has finally opened their doors after years of planning and pitfalls.

Other new opening includes Surelet in The Marquee Centre - a letting and rental agency, Mardells in Ware Road, a bakery and sandwich bar; and Bodyhealing in Railway Street.

Also, in South Street, Coversure have opened a branch.

In Parliament Square, Churchills estate agency has vacated premises next to the Hertford House Hotel and relocated to premises opposite.Recent closures in the town include E4 Phones in Honey Lane, the short-lived homewear shop in Bircherley Green; and Elite Fitness in the Marquee Centre.

Supermarket Activity

Following the withdrawl of Sainsbury's planning application for a new store on the old brewery site, Tesco have now submited a formal planning application for a 49,000 sq.ft store to replace their existing store on Ware Road. The proposed store is over twice the size of the existing store, with 30% of the retail space given over to non-food sales.

Supermarket Expansion Hertford is set to become a battlefield as two leading supermarkets vie for customers

Shopping Hertford Features a selection of independent and chain retailers