Tracks in Railway Street

Recent months have seen a number of retail closures in the town, including four just yards apart in Railway Street.

Tracks finally closed their doors for the last time after over 25 years in the town. Their Ware store closed earlier in the year. Three doors down, mobile phone shop Moco has also shut, as has Rose Optometrists on the corner with Salisbury Sqaure.

Adjacent to Tracks, Pearce's last bakery shop closed at the end of July after the firm went in to administration in May.

Further along Railway Street, Frillies lingerie shop has closed and been replaced by a similar outlet Ginger Lillie.

Other shops opening in the town include womenswear shop Kitten in Parliament Square and fitted kitchen specialists David Dewing Designs, which replaces KDA in Market Street.

Two outlets have expanded into neighbouring premises - The Isobel Hospice shop and Bagalettes in Bircherley Green.

At the western end of Fore Street, work has begun to convert the former offices of The Hertfordshire Mercury into a boutique hotel. Further east, another planning application has been submitted to convert the former Estate Agents Your Move into a bar and eatery.

The Earth Collection in Bircherley Greenn has been renamed The Natural Clothing Store.

Premises formerly occupied by Bristol & West Building Society in Market Street are currently being refitted, possibly as a beauticians under the proprietorship of Jade Goody.

In-car entertainment specialists Braybrooks have closed their premises in St.John's Street.