What’s been happening in Hertford recently?  It’s seen an explosion of new and interesting businesses opening their doors to wow the good people of Hertford.

Now the eagle eyed among you may have noticed many of these businesses are mainly offering very similar products…..food and drink! 

Some of you reading this blog may tut and wonder what’s happening to Hertford; “where’s the butchers’, where’s the toy shops, where’s the fishmongers and greengrocers’?  It’s all coffee shops and nail bars nowadays”.

The thing is, these shops probably aren’t going to come back to our wonderful town.  And there’s a reason for that.  They were once prominent in Hertford, but because of a number of factors they’re no longer here.  So let’s celebrate the latest surge of entrepreneurship that’s gracing Hertford and give a warm welcome to these great new Hertford businesses…..

• Langleys Taste – A new coffee shop, deli and eatery that’s centrally based and offers an airy space to enjoy good food and a quiet time.
• The Quiet Man – With all the negative press about pubs closing around the UK every week, it’s refreshing to see a nice pub open where you can simply enjoy a drink without all the frills.  Part of the popular Hertford House Hotel chain of local entertainment venues, we welcome The Quiet Man with open arms!
• CRAVE Coffee and Deli – New York comes to Hertford!  A proper sandwich shop, that promises big tastes and flavours.  Locally roasted coffee and deli style sandwiches lie in wait for hungry Hertfordians.
• GalosUk Hertford – Who needs Nandos when they’ve got Galos?!?!?  The new shop that has replaced Café Yum is finally open!  Takeaway or delivery options are available for hungry families who want taste and convinience but enjoy eating good, fresh food.
• Dog And Whislte Pub – Hertford’s most interesting and original coffee shop (and a personal favourite) is branching out into the pub industry!  The Ram Inn on Fore Street, is reopening its doors as The Dog and Whistle Pub.  It promises to be Child friendly and will still have rooms for bed and breakfast.  Vintage East End London comes to Hertford!
• Smoky Mojos – The long wait for this brand new grill to finally open is over!  Dishes from world cuisine are available to enjoy in this town centre located restaurant.  The idea of BBQ’d duck appeals to my tastebuds!
• Secret Space – Hertford now has a dedicated yoga studio on Fore Street!  A beautiful space to practice yoga with a wide range of classes available for all!
• Church Farm Shop – Opposite Barclays is a refreshing place for us Hertfordians to get fresh locally produced produce, in the centre of town!  Fresh bread, fruit and veg await those who want great tasting food to whip up culinary delights at home!

Further afield, there’s more growth.  Ware has seen some new businesses crop up recently…..

• LuLu Coffee Co – Apparently the only coffee shop in Hertfordshire to roast its own beans in house!  The blends LuLu produce are gorgeous and the knowledge from the team there is worth the trip along the Ware Road alone!
• POW Yoga – opening last month, POW Yoga is slightly different to Hertford’s offering.  It offers HOT Yoga, which means a wide range of yoga performed in temperatures up to 44c.  They have non hot yoga too if that’s not your cup of tea!

East Hertfordshire is seeing growth, it’s seeing new sectors rise up and fill empty units.  Remember the people behind the business, remember the sacrifices they made in order to open their doors.  Because Hertford, Ware and other towns around East Herts are beginning to see these entrepreneurs offering us a huge variety of the things we want and enjoy.

Thanks for reading, Rob