High Street

Selfridges in Harpenden?

By Ron Taylor. Editor

When you look at the incredible variety of retail shops in Harpenden and Southdown it all adds up to a giant departmental store.

UPDATED MARCH 2017

So next time you think of going to shop in London, think again, it could all be here on your doorstep. Save the train fare, spend a day in ‘the village’ and sample the fayre from one of the many bars or restaurants.

The list below shows what’s available (up to Roundwood but excludes Southdown)

Art Galleries x 1

Art/Picture Frame workshop x 2

Babies and young children shops x 1

Baker and Cake shops x 2

Banks x 4

Beauty Salon/Spa/Nails x 5

Beauty/Cosmetics x 4

Betting shop x 1

Book shop x 1

Butcher x 1

Building Societies x 4

Carpet and flooring x 3

Charity shops x 9

Chemists x 4

Coffee Bars/Tea shops x 9

Delicatessen x 2

DIY and Paint x 1

Dry Cleaners x 4

Empty Shops x 8

Estate Agents & Letting Agents x 11

Fast Food x 6

Florist x 2

Frozen Foods x 1

Furniture and fabric shops x 1

Convenience stores x 2

Gift & Card shops x 4

Health shops x 1

Jewellers x 3

Kitchen/Bathroom shops x 2

Ladies Hairdressers x 10

Ladies wear x 7

Men’s hairdressers x 5

Men’s wear x 1

Newsagents x 2

Opticians x 4

Phone shop x 2

Pet shop x 1

Post Office x 1

Restaurants x 15

Sandwich shop x 2

Sweet shops x 1

Shoe shops x 2

Shoe repairs x 1

Sporting goods x 1

Supermarkets x 3

Travel agents x 2

TV, Video & Hi FI shop x 1

Wine shops x 3

Local shop owners face many problems.

Rising rent and rates...declining disposable consumer incomes...pressure by the supermarkets to take market share from the independents...increasing popularity of shopping centres and internet shopping.

So go out and support your local shops.

Help protect the world's elephants. Treat yourself to a miniature elephant knowing 20% of the 'Elephants Parade' net profits are donated to their welfare. Buy them at Serena Hart in Bowers Parade.

New bathroom and plumbing services now in Harpenden at District and Modern Stores.

In July many Harpenden residents were dismayed to learn about the imminent closure of the Jacksons bathroom and plumbing business which had been trading on the High Street for 29 years. Jon Greer, a trusted and long term employee and owner since 2007, was also about to lose his job.

Thankfully Martin Gay the boss of MJG Property Maintenance and District and Modern Stores recognised the opportunity to expand his company activities by employing Jon and opening a bathroom and plumbing service on the first floor of the well established retail unit in Vaughan Road.

This was a natural expansion as MJG had been using Jacksons for many years and were well aware of the scale of their operation. So now Harpenden has a single retail shop where you can buy all your home needs for plumbing and decorating with specialist advice you can trust and at prices that are as competitive as any other retailer including the big names.

When you see dozens of trade business users at the shop you know it must be good.

The last month has seen the upstairs area cleared to make space for all the bathroom, sanitary ware and plumbing products with a desk for Jon to control the operation. So now you can call in and speak to Jon about all your needs whether it’s a new tap or a new bathroom. Bring a simple diagram of your bathroom and loo with dimensions and your budget. Jon can then take you through all the options, recommending products and give you prices. He will even recommend installers and tile and flooring experts to do the whole job. What more could you ask?

MJG Property Maintenance have been established in Harpenden for 28 years building a reputation for trust and reliability. Director Martin Gay said “We know the trade inside out and as a firm we look after our customers with traditional values and personal service. We are looking forward to serving Harpenden residents for many years to come.”

CONTACT DETAILS. District and Modern Stores

2 Vaughan Rd, Harpenden AL5 4ED

Phone: 01582 715004

The well established store at the bottom of Vaughan Road in the centre of Harpenden.

Martin Gay (left,Director of MJG) in the first floor showroom with Jon Greer (right) the manager of the new Bathroom section where a large range of product is on display.

New in Harpenden from

September. FATFACE on

the High Street

Food and Drink Festival Awards: The Winners 2017

Fish and chip shop Godfrey’s has become the first winner of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival award for sustainability.

The business, based in Harpenden’s High Street, enjoyed a double celebration as they also won the title of Best Takeaway.

Fourteen awards were presented at a glittering dinner at the Sopwell House Hotel on Monday 2 October. The ten-day Festival is organised by St Albans City and District Council with the help of a steering group.

Publican Sean Hughes also took two awards, the Kate D’Arcy Award for Customer Service and Best Bar for his Dylans The Kings Arms in George Street, St Albans.

Real ale company Farr Brew, based in Wheathampstead, had a double success, too, winning the Best Market Stall and Best Local Producer titles.

The Sustainability Award was sponsored by the Green Triangle, a partnership of organisations committed to establishing Hertfordshire as a centre of excellence in green technology.

This is the first time it has been presented at the Festival which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

Luke Godfrey, owner and manager of Godfrey’s, said: “I am extremely pleased to have won this award. Sustainability is something that is very important to us, rather than just a marketing ploy. “It was drilled into the DNA of this business when it was founded five years ago as sustainability has always been one of my passions.

“We only use recyclable packaging and only use green electricity from a specialist supplier. “Right from the start, I also ensured that all our fish is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. I believe we were the first fish and chip restaurant in Hertfordshire to do that.”

Luke added: “This award is recognition of the work we have done and it will go up in the shop along with our Best Takeaway award for all to see. I’m very proud.”

He was presented with his award by Councillor Beric Read, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community. Cllr Read had judged the sustainability award winner along with a Green Triangle representative.

The other 13 award winners emerged from a list of 350 nominations that went to a public vote during the summer.

More than 2,000 people took part in the online ballot with the top three or four in each category then being shortlisted.

Festival judges, including food and drink experts, made unannounced visits to the finalists to check on the quality of their service and produce as well as other attributes before choosing the winners.

Cllr Read said: “The standard in all categories was exceptionally high and it was very difficult to choose the winners.

“It shows that the District’s food and drink industry, which contributes so much to our local economy, is really booming.

“This was the first year we have presented the Green Triangle Award for Sustainability and in Godfrey’s we had a much deserved winner. It is a business which is really committed to doing its bit for the environment.”

The 14 winners (St Albans unless stated) were:

Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion:

Thompson St Albans.

Best Restaurant for Everyday Dining:

Per Tutti tied with

The Great Northern.

Best Pub:

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

Best Bar:

Dylans The Kings Arms.

Best Café:

The Fleetville Larder;