October has seen plenty of excitement as new businesses opened across Hertfordshire, but lots of sadness as beloved stores closed.
Here's seven businesses that opened or closed this month.
1. Poundland - Welwyn Garden City
Signs confirming the store will be "opening soon" appeared in the window of the former Debenhams store in Stonehills, which has stood empty since the department store closed in 2020.
An opening date for the new store is set to be confirmed by the discount retailer in the coming weeks, with a spokesperson saying: "We hope to have a confirmed opening date sometime in the next couple of weeks and more details of our move into the unit."
2. Bridgetown Monroe - Hitchin
A new cocktail bar promising "experience and energy" is set to open in Hitchin later this month.
Bridgetown Monroe is due to open on October 21 in part of the former Hawkins building in Bucklersbury, with owner Chris Dodd describes it as "the perfect location".
"Bridgetown Monroe started off as a mobile bar travelling the country. We rocked up in a 1970 Chevy pickup truck and had the flatbed converted into a rum bar," he said.
"In 2020, I decided to fulfil my dream and open a bricks and mortar bar. Fast forward three turbulent years of delays due to Covid and the restrictions on the building because it is heritage, and I am opening."
The bar will have more than 30 specialist brands of rum from across the globe, "mixed into beautifully crafted cocktails," Chris added.
The bar will be open from 11am Wednesday to Sunday, with late night closing on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Casa China - Stevenage
Casa China has opened in The Forum unit that was formerly an Iceland store, with the supermarket retailer moving out in 2022.
Reacting to the new Casa China store, one shopper said: "I have heard this chain has good products. Not too expensive either."
Another said: "Looks good to me. Got a few bits out of there I couldn't get anywhere else, and much cheaper too."
4. Halifax - Hatfield
A closure date for Hatfield's Halifax branch has been announced, the last bank remaining in the town.
The branch at 17 Town Centre will shut down on June 25, 2024, completing a banking exodus that has already seen HSBC, Lloyds, Santander and Barclays all leave the town since 2021.
"The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online," said a spokesperson for Halifax.
"With more customers banking digitally, we've seen a fall in branch visits. Because of this, we've decided to close this branch.
"We’re still here to support you, and there’s a number of ways you can do your everyday banking with us, either online, on your mobile, over the phone or at a Post Office.
"You can use any of our branches, and the nearest alternative is the Welwyn Garden City branch."
5. Luxury Nails 96 - Hitchin
A new business is set to open in Hitchin's Bancroft, moving into the former Molly's Tea Room unit.
Nail bar Luxury Nails 96 is set to open later this month, and will be offering discounts to customers until January to celebrate their grand opening.
"With an experienced and welcoming team, we offer a full range of nail services including acrylic nails, gel colour, gel powder, ombre nails, pink and white, glitter nails, shellac nail extensions, builder gel, natural nail enhancements, nail art, waxing and tinting," reads their website.
6. Austin's Funeral Directors - Stevenage
Austin's Funeral Directors will take over the space on the High Street, which, according to the business, will be used for "private arrangement facilities for bereaved families, chapels of rest and a funeral service room".
"It’s been a while coming but work has now started on our new premises in Stevenage Old Town High Street," read a post on their Facebook page.
A large sign has also been placed outside the unit confirming it is being refurbished for the company.
7. HATCH - St Albans
HATCH, a popular St Albans eatery, is set to move from its well-known location on Holywell Hill.
The café and restaurant has now reopened in Christopher Place, taking up the former Honest Burgers and Carluccio's unit, next door to Wagamama.
"The main reason for the move is that we have outgrown our old site on Holywell Hill," said owner Chris Evans.
"On a Saturday we were consistently turning away as many as we were seating. Customers were always saying 'you need a bigger site'.
"So, we have been actively looking for a bigger site for a couple of years now. We've come close a couple of times and not got over the line. It was something that we've been planning for a couple of years.
"The second reason is that a bigger site allows us to be the brand that we've always wanted to be, and do the things that we set out to do but have been unable to do because we've been limited by space."
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