From new cafés and coffee shops to Oliver Bonas and The White Company joining the high street, here are all the changes that have been happening in Hitchin town centre in 2023.
1. The White Company replaces Joules
The White Company will coming to Hitchin later this year, with the grand opening expected to take place in mid-October.
Specialising in luxury clothing, homeware and gifts, the retailer will take over the Bancroft unit formerly home to Joules.
It's not the only store coming to the popular Hitchin street either...
2. Oliver Bonas replaces Paperchase
Homeware and fashion chain Oliver Bonas is replacing Paperchase, with the opening of the store expected to happen any day now.
The stationery retailer closed 106 stores nationwide back in February, with Hitchin and three other Hertfordshire stores among them.
Oliver Bonas has been advertising a number of positions in the shop for a number of months, and will see the retailer add to their more than 80 sites across the UK.
3. Craft and Cleaver replacing Prezzo
Another business that is opening soon is Craft and Cleaver, with work currently being carried out on the bar and BBQ restaurant.
Already with a spot in St Albans, the owners of Craft and Cleaver decided Hitchin was a great place to open another site, taking over the Bancroft unit formerly occupied by Prezzo.
The Italian restaurant chain closed in the town back in 2021, with the unit standing vacant ever since.
4. The Works
Yet another change in Bancroft came in August, when The Works shut down in August.
"This has been a great location for The Works, but sadly we have been unable to agree a viable rent agreement with the landlord," said a spokesman for the discount retailer.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure and would like to thank customers for shopping at The Works over the years.
5. Molly’s Tea Room
Rounding off a raft of changes in Bancroft was the closure of Molly's Tea Room, which closed down in June.
The team at the tea room, which was opened by Carolyn Palmer eight-and-a-half years ago, said that the decision had "not been an easy one" and expressed their "deepest gratitude for your loyalty and support throughout the years".
They said that "the financial climate has made it non-viable", but thanked customers for their "support, friendliness, and belief" in the café.
6. Plan Burrito replaces Bella Vita Hotel and Restaurant
Back in May, Hitchin welcomed another eatery to its popular and ever-growing street food scene, when Plan Burrito moved into Sun Street.
The award-winning restaurant has been expanding across the UK and identified the town as the perfect spot for a new site.
Plan Burrito occupies the unit formerly home to the Bella Vita Hotel and Restaurant, which also closed this year.
7. Nibbles replaces Rose Buds Café and Tearoom
Rose Buds Café and Tearoom, in The Arcade, was a much-loved lunch spot in Hitchin, but it closed back in May.
New owners took over and Nibbles opened later that month, serving up tasty sandwiches with some of finest smoked meats around.
The café has quickly established itself as a popular spot for hungry shoppers in the town, and Comet reporter Dan Mountney enjoyed his visit when he was invited down in June.
8. Esquires replaces Chia Naturally Healthy
Chia Naturally Healthy closed in June after founder Lucy Fisher decided to "focus on raising her children", but it was quickly replaced.
Worldwide coffee chain Esquires took over the Market Place unit in July, and has become a popular coffee spot in Hitchin.
Founded in Canada in 1993, Esquires is a worldwide business, with more than 130 stores across the globe.
9. Hush replaces Chic
Just around the corner in Churchyard, bar and nightclub Chic closed its doors after 13 years of business back in April.
"Sadly, after 13 years of trading we have decided to close Chic," read a statement on Facebook.
"We’ve massively enjoyed the run and have some great memories, but it’s time for us to hand over the reigns to a new team to make the venue their own and hopefully help create another 12 years of memories for the party people of Hitchin."
Another nightclub took over the unit, with Hush opening later in the month.
10. Threads
July saw a new shop welcomed to Churchgate, with Garden House Hospice opening pre-loved clothing store Threads.
Threads looks very different to most charity shops, and has a vision of being a "sustainable retailer of choice on the high street".
Carla Pilsworth, director of income generation at Garden House Hospice Care, said: “With thirteen shops and an established presence in North Hertfordshire and surrounding towns, we know what we are doing when it comes to selling pre-loved clothes and we do it well."
11. Deroka
One of the more mysterious closure in Hitchin this year was that of much-loved Mediterranean restaurant Deroka.
In August, diners reported booking tables at the Sun Street spot, only to find it was closed.
Further investigation by the Comet found it was shut once again, with menus outside removed and blinds pulled down, while calls to the restaurant went unanswered.
No official announcement about the restaurant's future has been made on social media, but it still remains closed.
12. Iceland
June saw a major retailer leave the town, with Iceland closing its store in Churchgate.
In February, Iceland announced that it would be closing a number of stores across the UK.
At the time, a spokesperson for the supermarket chain said: "We continually review our Iceland Foods and The Food Warehouse store portfolio to ensure we’re delivering the best experiences for our customers across the country."
Hitchin was among them, and the unit still stands empty today.
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