Groundworks have started at the former rectory on the corner of North Road and Cross Lane.



The rectory building is to be converted into five flats, with a new building adjacent offering four new flats.

Planning permission was granted in October 2008 for the development including associated landscaping and car parking.

Work has started on a mural on the east face of the former Waters Garage showroom in St.Andrew Street.

The mural is the work of Hertford Art Society and is part of a scheme with The Town Council to improve the appearance of disused premises in the town.

It is expected to take from 4-8 weeks to complete.

Before Peter McMullen delivered his first pint, there were a wealth of breweries in Hertford. The first of these was on the corner of Fore Street and Sow Lane (now South Street).

Originally built in 1702, it was leased to a number of brewers before ending up in the hands of Robert Young.

The brewery supplied beer to a number of pubs in Hertford that they owned or leased, including The Barge, Bull Inn, Two Brewers and The Bluecoat Boy.



The brewery closed shortly after 1897 and was demolished. The cellar openings along South Street can still be seen today.

Benjamin Young built a large malt house in Priory Street in 1875, comprising four floors 110 feet by 40 feet. The building is now a home for the elderly.

Mobile phone shop O2 in Bircherley Green is closing down at the end of September.



The mobile phone company was unable to agree terms on a new lease for the retail unit, with owners Diego reportedly seeking a 10 year leasehold agreement.

O2 moved into Bircherley Green 6 years ago after Action Bikes gave up the premises.

A planning application for new signage at the address has been submitted by The Card Factory, suggesting the shop will not go empty once the current occupants have left.

Harts of Hertford start a relocation sale tomorrow prior to moving into their new shop on the corner of Fore Street and South Street.



The Bull Plain haberdashery has occupied the site since 2001 when Gravesons closed their doors.

Owner Margaret Hart hopes to have the new shop up and running by the beginning of next week.

The South Street retail unit was most recently a temporary card shop over the Christmas period, before which it was an insurance brokers.

The winners of this year's Hertford In Bloom competition have been announced.

The Harts Horns won the McMullen Challenge Cup for the best pub with floral decoration. Runners-up were the Old Cross Tavern in St.Andrew Street.



The Riverside Shield for best kept front garden went to Joyce Woods of Cowper Crescent, with Ann Rowley of Port Hill runner-up.

Best kept back garden went to Mr. & Mrs James of Fordwich Rise whilst the best hanging basket was that of Mr & Mrs Jackson of Bengeo Street.

Duncombe School also won two awards for best school garden and floral container, whilst Abel Smith school had the tallest sunflower.

Finally, the F.C.Sparks Memorial Cup for best kept allotment went to Mr.D.Willis of Mandeville Road for his plot in West Street.

The Friends of Evron and Wildeshausen have unveiled a window display in the premises formerly occupied by the Woolwich in Maidenhead Street.

The display describes the work of the town-twinning societies and the events and exchanges that take place between the three towns.

Last month the town council set up a scheme to improve the appearance of empty shops in the town, supported by Hertford Art Society.

www.friendsofevron.org.uk

Two new bars and eateries are currently advertising for staff, including a new hotel in Fore Street.



The Masters House in Fore Street will be an upmarklet hotel, bar restaurant. The business is owned by local resident Michael Cattenach, who also owns Loftcat in Railway Street.

On the corner on South Street and Fore Street, the former Sportsman public house is currently undergoing extensive renovation prior to opening as a new bar restaurant. Recruitment company AGB Group are advertising for staff.

Fish restaurant Loch Fyne in Fore Street are offering free kids meals throughout August.

Children up to 10 years old will be allowed a free meal with every adult meal ordered, from the restaurant's Little Tiddlers menu, which includes crunchy salmon or haddock goujons with chips and peas, fish of the day with vegetables or mussels and chips.

Jim Fields, Manager of Loch Fyne in Hertford, said: "Health experts advise us to eat at least two portions of fish a week. We are serving mini meals of grown up food – we have found that children love to get stuck into mussels for example and we have plenty of children who eat our oysters which might surprise those who think kids only like chicken nuggets.

"With more families staying at home this summer, our Little Tiddlers menu offers parents great value and a tasty opportunity to feed their school of little ones."

Deco in Parliament Square are currently undergoing a refit prior to the opening of their new lounge bar.



The restaurant will also be launching a new menu when the establishment re-opens on Thursday 20th August.

Deco opened in November last year in premises that were formerly Zeros.