Ayres End Lane and East Common close for up to 11 weeks from Monday 26 October for gas works. That's the official bit. The unofficial bit is that it's the 17th Harpenden road closed or coned off since April, and some of us would like a word.
Kalimera, a new Greek bakery and café, has opened on Leyton Road. We haven't eaten there yet, but the navy shopfront and its lemons are hard to miss.
The mystery tenant for the former M&Co at 6 High Street is STRONG Pilates, the Australian reformer franchise with rowing machines attached. It's due to open in early 2027.
OVEE, a new "British Asian" restaurant, is moving into Thompsons Close, where Cinnamon used to be. It was due to open on Thursday 22 October, but that date has quietly vanished, so watch this space.
We joined the opening-day rush at Bread Ahead on Harpenden High Street. The full kitchen menu won't arrive until Wednesday and the doughnuts wait until 11am, but the croissant, pain au raisin and sausage rolls were outstanding. A very promising start.
Borough Market's cult bakery Bread Ahead opens on Harpenden High Street on 12th October, its first UK bakery outside London. Expect sourdough and doughnuts baked fresh on site, an all-day café, and an upstairs baking school with classes from January 2027.
Thameslink's chief executive has unveiled a pocket-sprung, memory-foam, wingback seat that will roll out from 2027. Lovely. Now, about actually getting one.
The Silver Cup's annual summer barbecue took over the terrace by the Common on Sunday, with Matt's impressive custom trailer barbecue turning out exceptional burgers, lobster rolls, and barbecued new potatoes to a packed, rosé-fuelled crowd. Our first time attending, and it's already a family tradition—just do yourself a favour and book a table, unlike us.
Activity has finally returned to the former M&Co site at 6 High Street, as developer Cheek Development Ltd resubmits plans for upper-floor flats and ground-floor commercial space. With the 2,427 sq ft unit already under offer and interior stripping work underway, Harpenden’s most prominent vacant shopfront looks set for a long-awaited revival.
Romania's aggressively priced broadband operator DIGI is set to land in Harpenden by the end of the year, bringing an end to our reliance on the Openreach and Virgin duopoly. With gigabit speeds starting at just £15 a month, the midnight cable-laying crews might just deliver the digital shake-up this town has been waiting for.
Papa J is relocating its successful 22-year Luton Indian tapas operation, Grand Trunk Road, to 72 High Street, Harpenden on July 2nd. Taking over a tricky, historic site that once housed Billy's Wine Bar and saw the controversial rise and fall of Hoo House, the new opening aims to bring long-term stability and spice to one of the town's most prominent locations.
After a worrying winter closure, the Elephant & Castle in Amwell has reopened under the return of its post-lockdown management team, Manuel and Manuella. With the legendary beer garden back in action, improved food on the soft launch menu, and a perfect 5-star food safety rating already secured, it’s a welcome return for one of our favourite summer spots.