In these difficult times for retailers, there is plenty to feel positive about in Hereford. New shops opening, new restaurants, a nightclub relaunching as a social longue and a council owned shopping centre that is starting to thrive by welcoming local independent outlets.
We’ll start with JD Sports and Sports Direct. Two huge sportswear and fashion outlets. Both companies have ditched their old units and moved to new spacious stores that have a wider range of items available and helped to create jobs, even during this difficult trading time. The investment these national companies have shown in Hereford is welcomed and we hope they are well supported.
Elsewhere, Fox & Mabel have taken on another one of the Old Market pods, further enhancing their potential. It’s great to see British Land, the company that own The Old Market, so supportive when it comes to local independents. We are sure Fox & Mabel will thrive and continue to grow.
Saxty’s is being refurbished and is set to re-open as a bar/club, when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. This news will bring back memories for many. We’d like to wish Steve Harrison and the team the very best of luck with this venture.
Play Nightclub will be re-opening. Deltic have taken the decision to re-open in time for Halloween. It will be very different to your usual ‘nightclub’ experience but it’s great to see these places adapting and we are told that interest is very high!
The Butter Market has new businesses opening and we will have some exciting news coming soon on the promotional front in the lead up to Christmas. Watch this space! PS…. Great Donuts available.
Maylord Orchards has a number of businesses opening soon and we can’t wait to share the good news. The purchase of Maylord’s by Herefordshire Council was heavily criticised at the time, but the council has said that just a few of the empty units remain with many new stores opening and others relocating from other parts of the city centre.
The Booth Hall renovation works are continuing and we are hoping to have some further news on this project in due course. It’s certainly looking exciting and if the team can follow on from their success at Shack Revolution and Bastion Street Feast, then it will certainly be a hit!
Would you believe it’s ten years since the High Town fire? The good news is that Principality Building Society and a Fruit & Veg stall will soon be opening in the recently restored Alban House. We can’t wait to see it back in all its glory!
