An empty shop in Maidenhead Street is set to become an Italian restaurant if planners give the go-ahead for Change Of Use.

Unico Ristorante have submitted a planning application for a 56 cover restaurant at 12 Maidenhead Street, which was formerly Homes & Gardens. The company previously ran a restaurant in Epping before shutting down in October last year.

The public have until 20th September to submit their comments on the application.

A new 60 cover restaurant has been proposed for the basement of the former Green Dragon Hotel in The Wash.

A planning application has been submitted for a change of use by David Daniel via a St.Albans based agent.

The premises were until recently used for health and beauty purposes.

The plans are due to be discussed at the Town Counil's planning meeting on 11th April.

Restaurant chain Prezzo have opened their new outlet in Fore Street.

The company acquired the lease from Paramount in a recent deal that transferred 11 Brasserie Gerard and Caffe Uno properties to Prezzo.

The menu includes a range of stone-baked pizzas and calzones, pastas and risottos, as well as a selection of chargrilled chicken dishes and fresh salad.

French restaurant Brasserie Gerard in Fore Street has closed after the premises were sold as part of a £3.1 deal with Prezzo.

Owners Paramount rebranded the outlet less than two years ago, converting it from Italian themed Caffe Uno to Brasserie Gerard, featuring a French themed menu.

The building is currently being refitted, with Prezzo expected to open before the end of November. The chain offers a range of dishes, including pasta, risotto and pizza.

Hertford's newest Indian restaurant in now offereing a free pick-up service using their new brightly coloured tuk-tuk.

The vehicle is a genuine Indian Tuk Tuk made by a company called King and imported into the UK by Auto Rickshaws Europe. It has been converted to run on LPG and can seat 3 passengers in addition to the driver.

The vehicle will be used as a free shuttle service for customers who live within Hertford. When making a booking customers can ask to be picked up in the Tuk Tuk. After your meal you can either be taken home or dropped off in the town.

If you see the tuk-tuk driving around the town  you can also give the driver a wave and he will give you a lift to Ruby.

A new pizza and kebab shop has opened in The Wash.

Hertford Star opened on Saturday in premises that were formerly occupied by Chicken Express, who closed after the premises were repossessed earlier in the year.

Deco in Parliament Square has closed down and is currently in the hands of administrators.

The restaurant and night-spot opened in November 2008 and was relaunched nine months later following a refit in August 2009.

Yum Yum and Caffe Yum had a grand opening yesterday morning, with Hertbeat FM broadcasting from the town.

Laura Stylianou and her partner, Richard, have opened the twin businesses in the former premises of Wigginton's in Old Cross.

Yum Yum sells ice cream, smoothier, waffles and milkshakes, whilst Caffe Yum sells teas, coffee and cakes.

The new Whistling Duck restaurant in Lower Hatfield Road was opened by The Mayor on Tuesday.

The restaurant is situated in the grounds of the Riverside Garden Centre and offers a breakfast, lunch and evening dinner menu.

Overlooking the River Lee, the stylish bar and restaurant are open 7 days a week, with breakfast served from 8am-11am, lunch from midday and dinner between 6pm and 10pm.

Indian restaurant Bollywoods in Fore Street have been fined £40,000 for flouting fire safety regulations.

Owner Halif Ali pleaded guilty to a string of offences at Hertford Magistrates Court yesterday, following a raid in March of this year.

Fire safety officers visited the premises just days after a raid by The Border Agency, in which a number of illegal immigrants were found living above the restaurant. The upper floors were immediately served with a prohibition notice.

Officers found blocked fire escapes, faulty wiring and missing floorboards. In addition, there was no firefighting equipment. The stairs were also being used as storage space.

The prohibition notice is currently still in place.