John's butchers shop in Railway Street has closed it's doors for the last time.

Owner John Sapstead blamed roadworks, loss of parking and the BSE for a downturn in trade. However, Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Burge, put responsibility at the door of East Herts District Council, claiming that up to five other businesses in the town are facing closure. He says that environmental and highways work in the town has damaged business.

The closure of the butchers comes at the end of twelve months that have seen some of Hertford's most prominent and long established businesses close. The list includes Gravesons, Candies sweetshop and Fred Roach.

The town centre has suffered a series of closures by the local authority over the last few years for enhancement work and repairs to previous enhancements.

Real Women Love Lingerie is the name of a new lingerie shop on Bircherley Green.

The shop opened recently by the bus station in premises that had been vacant for a number of years following the closure of a model shop on the site. Bircherley Green, which was recently sold, has a number of vacant units in this area. A second lingerie shop is also soon to open in Railway Street. The outlet is believed to be called Frillies and will occupy the site opposite The Marquee Centre, formerly Baby Bye Bye.

From the ashes of Gravesons

From The Ashes Of Gravesons

The former haberdashery and luggage departments of Gravesons have been reborn in Bull Plain. Margaret Hart has opened a new shop named Harts Of Hertford opposite The Prince Regent P.H. in premises formerly occupied by travel specialists Something Special.

Following the closure of Gravesons last month, planning permission has been granted for the upper floors to be turned into flats, whilst the ground floor is to be split into three retail units. One of these will continue to house the Tourist Information Centre. A number of high street names have expressed an interest in the remaining two, which it is hoped will be open by Christmas.

Yates Menswear has opened a second shop in Fore Street selling ladies shoes.

The shop is the second to open at the eastern end of Fore Street, the other being a tatooists that takes ovr the former Yellow Phone Shop premises. This part of the street has a number of vacant units and there are rumours that another restaurant will open in one of them

The future of the Damar Supermarket in Ware Road looks uncertain. The shop closed at the end of June. Notices posted said that the shop would re-open in early August, but have now been replaced with signs saying "Closed Until Further Notice".

The Pound Shop in Railway Street's Marquee Centre has closed. The shop opened only a few months ago folowing the failure of the internet cafe, which itself was open for just two weeks.