Vacancy rate below average despite closures

The retail vacancy rate in Hertford Town Centre is below the regional average, despite a number of recent high profile closures.

According to our database of retail premises, the vacancy rate is 10.5%, compared to the East of England average of 13.3%.

A number of high profile businesses have recently closed their doors, including Bebo Cafe and the Scope charity shop in Railway Street, and Dead Swanky hair salon in Old Cross. The latter has spawned a new salon in Railway Street opposite the Lord Haig public house, named Sweeney Rodd's.

Leaf Cafe in Old Cross is also expected to close next month.

There are currently 14 coffee shops and cafes in the town centre. There are also 24 salons, 12 barbers and 42 eateries, in the form of restaurants, cafes and takeaways.

Two additional coffee shops are also expected to open in the coming months.

Three new retail units will soon become available in Railway Street, replacing the units lost when Halfords, Isabel Hospice and Lloyds bank had to close ahead of redevelopment.

Two centrally located premises remain empty following the closure of hair salon Tony & Guy in May last year, and Barclays Bank, which closed 3 years ago on 25th February 2022. 

Retail businesses up and down the country are faced with increasing costs and changing consumer habits, with market towns perhaps more vulnerable than larger catchments.