Shopping in Hertford
Hertford town centre features over 250 retail premises - mostly independent stores or retail group outlets.
Unlike some market towns that are dominated by a single high street, Hertford has grown up with three shopping parades - Fore Street, Maidenhead Street/Railway Street, and St.Andrew Street.
Leading off and connecting these streets are other areas, such as Old Cross, Mill Bridge, The Wash, Bull Plain, Market Place, Market Street and Bircherley Green.
Like towns up and down the country, Hertford has had to adapt to the digital age and the rise of online shopping. The town also faces competition from larger nearby new towns with well-known chain stores and larger catchment areas, which often include Hertford.
Despite this, the town has a healthy retail economy with higher than average occupancy rates compared to the national average.
Retail Database
Our retail database lists every establishment in the town, including location, trade and opening date (where available).
There are also summaries for business sectors showing the number of shops for any given trade and the percentage of total retail.
Each shop entry also includes (again where available) information on previous traders at the address.
Fore Street
Fore Street runs from Parliament Square to Ware Road and features an array of restaurants, bars and popular retailers.
Maidenhead Street
Running from The Wash to Bull Plain, Maidenhead street is a pedestrianised area with 24 shops and restaurants, together with Hertford's post office.
St.Andrew Street
North of the river is St.Andrew Street, a traditional shopping street of 200 yards leading from Old Cross to North Road.
Wellbeing
Hair, beauty and health outlets have grown in number over the last two decades, replacing traditional retailers in a pattern seen across the country.
Barbers, nail bars, beauty and hair salons can all be found in abundance, often side by side throughout the town.
Health and wellbeing are also increasingly represented on the high street, with physiotherapists and dental practices basing themselves in the town centre, supported by both chain and independent health food stores such as Holland and Barratt and the Natural Health Food and Therapy Centre.
Gifts, Antiques & Vintage
If you’re a collector or simply looking to buy a present for someone - or even yourself, then a variety of shops are worth visiting.
Rossi’s Attic and Magpie Amore offer a treasure trove of vintage goods, clothes and trinkets, whilst Mark Wines is a traditional antique shop midway between the two.
Classic vinyl can be found in both Rossi's Attic and the Oxfam shop in Maidenhead Street.
For contemporary gifts and novelties you should head to Fore Street, where Eye Mind Heart and Five & Dime offer a range of interesting and creative items.
The Evening Economy
Hertford has a vibrant evening economy, with bars, pubs and clubs, live music, restaurants and theatres.
Restaurants
A wide range of eateries can be found on the town's streets, from Thai and Mediterrannan to Italian and Indian.
Lussmanns is a popular evening eatery - a sustainable Fish & Grill restaurant listed as one of the Sunday Times 100 best places to eat.
Elle's, Oishi and Mr.Tanaka are popular Japanese restaurants, whilst Old Siam and Baan Thitiya are both well-reviewed Thai restaurants.
Bars
There is a wealth of bars, pubs and clubs across the town that draw in people from across the area. Fashionable destinations such as The Practitioner, Cinnabar, The Dog & Whistle, Hertford House Hotel and Popworld are all popular with young people looking for a night out. There are Craft and Real Ale outlets such at The White Horse. Old Cross Tavern and Crafty Duck. McMullens public houses such as The White Hart and Woolpack are also very popular.
Entertainment
Hertford has a highly creative community, with art, theatre and music groups regularly staging shows in the town's venues. The Corn Exchange and Jungle Bar are the town's principal live music venues, whilst BEAM Hertford is the focal point for live shows and cinema, along with Bengeo's Little Theatre putting on five productions a year. Hertford Art Society and Courtyard Arts also have regular exhibitions.
Parking
There are six public car parks in Hertford with space for 758 vehicles. There is also parking at Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Aldi, all of which are within easy walking distance of the town. The supermarket car parks are free for a limited time.
There is a small amount of on-street parking but this is limited by the county council’s policy of encouraging sustainable travel.
Bircherley Green
Bircherley Green shopping centre is currently being redeveloped as a mixed use development of 98 homes and almost 3500sq.m of commercial and retail space.
Markets
A weekly charter market and monthly farmers' market take place in the town centre. The charter market occupies Railway Street, Salisbury Square and Maidenhead Street, whilst the farmers' market takes place in Market Place.Retail Focus
A small hand-picked selection of shops in the town centre
Albany Radio
Award-winning family run electrical shop Albany Radio sells white goods including kettles, toasters, fridges, cables. Recognised for their friendly and helpful service, the business is often voted one of Hertford’s most popular retailers.
Thirteen Bakery
One of the newest retail additions to the town is Thirteen Artisan Bakery in Mill Bridge, selling breads, pastries, focaccias and sausage rolls. There is also seating where you can enjoy the produce with a cup of fresh coffee.
Brothership
If you’re interested in modern art then Brothership is a destination not to be missed, with two outlets in the town featuring works by local artists, including Paul Crowley, Nick Shipton and Cherry Pie.
Mudlarks
A Hertford based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues, Mudlarks operate a popular cafe in Fore Street. The charity also run regular events including a food swap, Toddler Tuesdays and a 'chatty cafe'.
Oxfam Shop
Hertford's Oxfam bookshop specialises in books, cards and records, in a small but attractive and friendly shop in Maidenhead Street. You can browse a selection of vintage LPs, modern fiction and greetings cards that will bring a smile to your face.
Messages
A highly popular local shop - or two shops - that on one side sells party goods such as balloons, masks, party bags and fun gifts … and on the other, a variety of household goods including kitchenware, hardware and stationery.
Eye Mind Heart
A modern gift shop in the town's Fore Street filled with fun, creative & interesting items.
Boots
A recently re-opened branch of the health and beauty retailer in the redeveloped Bircherley Green.
Blue Oyster
Fishmonger and fish restaurant in Railway Street.
Supermarkets
Hertford has four supermarkets in the town centre, as well as a number of convenience stores. There are also two Co-op stores in Bengeo and on the Sele Farm estate.
Tesco
Sainsbury's
Aldi
M&S Food
Our retail database has a full listing of all Hertford's retailers in the town centre and beyond.