Fastest Growing Fashion Retailer

The UK's sixth largest clothing chain is to open a large outlet in Hertford.

Matalan will open a new store with parking next to DIY superstore Do-It-All in Ware Road. The company have more than 100 outlets throughout the country and are the fastest growing fashion retailer in the UK.

Matalan is a British company formed in 1985 by market trader John Hargeaves and was floated on the stock exchange in 1998. The company sells quality clothing, including well-known names, at low prices sourced directly from manufacturers and sold through out-of-town stores with low overheads. A lifetime membership costs £1, and includes catalogues and preview nights.

All Change For Irish

The town's Irish bar Seamus O'Donnell's closed during the first week of the year, with windows whitewashed and locks changed. Workmen and decorators have been on site since and the bar is expected to re-open soon under a new name.

Unikorn To Close

Hippy Shop Unikorn in Honey Lane is to close shortly after a closing down sale. This leaves one such shop in the town - Harvest Moon in The Wash.