Herts Ad: St Albans and Harpenden’s top stories from 2023
Restaurants have been recognised by Michelin, controversial developments have been proposed and disagreements over the proposed rail freight terminal have raged on.
Here's our top stories in St Albans and Harpenden over the past year.
January
Harpenden's Silver Cup restaurant recognised by Michelin
The Silver Cup featured in the Michelin Guide for the first time. (Image: Google Maps)
In January, it was reported that Harpenden's The Silver Cup had been featured in Michelin's food guide for the first time.
The restaurant is owned and run by Harpenden friends Matthew and Michael, who grew up in the town.
In a conservation area, furious neighbours demanded that action was taken to remove a fence that had been erected without permission. Residents in Lattimore Road were shocked to witness the installation of two wooden fence panels segregating number 32 from other properties in a row of terraced houses.
A new TV and film merchandise shop opened for the first time in St Albans, on February 18. 'The Television and Movie Store' features a "formidable array" of licensed and collectible merchandise from a range of popular TV shows and movies.
A decision was made to sell the Trinity Church building - at the junction between Victoria Street and Beaconsfield Road - as two St Albans churches combined. The Trinity Church congregation joined that of Homewood Church at their premises on Homewood Road.
"Changing customer trends" was cited as the reason for the closure of a popular St Albans restaurant in March. Café Rouge, on Holywell Hill, closed its doors for good following the end of its lease.
Plans were submitted for the two-storey Costwold building in Victoria Street, St Albans, to be demolished and replaced by a three-storey residential structure. Work has now begun on the site, with the Cotswold building fully demolished.
The St Albans branch of popular burger chain Honest Burgers closed for good in April. The Christopher Place citing "change in customer demand" as the reason for its closure, with the site now occupied by Hatch[7].
It was also revealed in April that the former Poundland and One Below unit would be demolished in St Peter's Street. The site, at 69 and 69a St Peter's Street, was set to be replaced with a four-storey building with 14 new dwellings and a retail space.
It was the beginning of the end for popular high street retailer Wilko in May, with its store in The Maltings under threat. Wilko has since gone from St Albans, with Poundland having purchased many of the company's former stores.
An historic pub in St Albans officially reopened following an extensive refurbishment. The King Harry underwent a five-week refurbishment to give it a fresh new look while retaining its traditional feel.
The RSPCA appealed for information in June, after a "terrified" cat was found abandoned in a pet carrier without food or water. A member of the public discovered the tabby as she was walking her dogs down Kirkdale Road, Harpenden.
The tenants of a pub near St Albans have purchased it after years of living in and managing the establishment. The Herts Advertiser attended and spoke with Anthony and Faith.
The official trailer of the now-released Wonka movie was released in July - which includes scenes filmed on location in St Albans. Wonka is a prequel to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and introduces audiences to a young Willy Wonka.
St Albans campaigners said "the fight is not over", despite Green Belt land being sold for a new rail freight terminal near the city. Save St Albans: Fight the Freight also began to consider a judicial review, after Hertfordshire County Council sold the land to rail freight developers Segro.
Up to 40 new homes were approved on land off Boissy Close, St Albans. A decision on the development on land north of the road was made on Monday, August 14.
Tails were wagging across Verulamium, as St Albans hosted its inaugural 'Dog Day'. The event marked International Dog Day on Saturday, August 26, and included a range of activities for hounds to enjoy.
St Albans High Street was confirmed to be reopening to traffic full-time in September, following changes to a pedestrianisation trial in the city centre. The street had been closed to all motor vehicles[18] during weekends, from 6pm on Friday to 7am on Monday, since November 2022.
The plan includes a number of areas that could be "released from the Green Belt" if the plan were to go ahead.
With a new cocktail lounge opening at Sopwell House hotel, The Herts Advertiser visited to speak with those involved. The bar was praised by the site's general manager, Angelina Chua, who described the lounge as having "its own identity and branding" rather than "a ubiquitous hotel bar that is often soulless".
Links Academy, in St Albans, was added to the list of schools containing concrete that is prone to crumbling in October. Bushey and Oxhey Infant School, Broxbourne's Churchfield CofE Academy and Watford Grammar School for Boys all join Links Academy on the list.
St Albans' historic landmark Batchwood Hall has seen various uses since its completion in 1874. Now, the building owned by St Albans City & District Council will become part of the Oakman hotel and restaurant group, which own St Peter's Street restaurant The Beech House.
A St Albans pub is back and better than ever after a "transformative six-figure investment". The Hare & Hounds in Sopwell Lane reopened in November after owners, the Stonegate Group, closed the boozer back in August to give it a major revamp.
A teenager from St Albans was among those to open Britain's newest railway station earlier this month. Justin, who will be a revenue control officer, is looking forward to meeting customers at the four-platform Brent Cross West station, between Cricklewood and Hendon in northwest London.Row over unauthorised fence at house in Lattimore Road
Furious neighbours demanded action was taken to remove a fence erected without permission. (Image: Laura Bill)
February
TV and film merchandise shop opens in The Maltings
A new TV and film merchandise shop opened in St Albans. (Image: Matt Adams)
Trinity Church to be sold as congregations unite
A decision was made to sell the Trinity Church building. (Image: Google Maps)
March
Café Rouge restaurant closes on Holywell Hill
The restaurant was part of the Big Table Group, which also includes Bella Italia and Las Iguanas. (Image: Google Maps)
St Albans: Victoria St Cotswold building 'to be demolished'
The former Cotswold building in Victoria Street. (Image: Google Maps)
April
Honest Burgers closes in Christopher Place
Changes in customer demand was given as a reason for the closure. (Image: Google Maps)
Former Poundland and One Below unit to be demolished
The former OneBelow and Poundland unit was confirmed to be demolished in April. (Image: Google Maps / Briffa Phillips / St Albans City & District Council / Canva)
May
St Albans Wilko's future in doubt amid 'insolvency' reports
Wilko had operated a branch in The Maltings. (Image: Google Maps)
Historic King Harry pub reopens after refurbishment
Changes at the pub included new furniture, both inside and outside. (Image: The King Harry)
June
RSPCA appeal after cat abandoned in Harpenden
The situation was described as a death sentence. (Image: Courtesy of the RSPCA)
Couple buy John Bunyan pub near Wheathampstead
Anthony and Faith have created a traditional pub with a comfortable living-room feel to it. (Image: Pearce Bates)
July
Wonka official trailer includes scenes filmed in St Albans
Timothée Chalamet in the title role as Willy Wonka. (Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
'The fight is not over': Campaigners react to rail freight land sale
Campaigners began to consider a judicial review. (Image: Dee Young / Archant / Canva)
August
Up to 40 new homes approved on land off Boissy Close
The now-successful Boissy Close application will include three self-build homes. (Image: TateHindle / Anderson / St Albans City & District Council)
St Albans hosts first-ever Dog Day in city centre
Activities took place across the city centre. (Image: Stephanie Belton)
September
Changes to city centre pedestrianisation trial
A pedestrianisation trial had been running since November 2022. (Image: Google Maps)
The St Albans and Harpenden areas to be 'released from Green Belt'
The local authority must find land for 15,000 new homes. (Image: Chris White / St Albans City & District Council)St Albans City & District Council's draft Local Plan was released earlier this year.
October
Sopwell House cocktail lounge raises the bar
The Herts Advertiser visited the bar to experience all that is has to offer. (Image: Pearce Bates / Canva)
Links Academy added to 'crumbling' RAAC list
All pupils at the school continued to receive face-to-face education. (Image: Google Maps)
November
Beech House owners agree Batchwood Hall lease
A 35-year lease has been agreed. (Image: Gollifer Longston Architects / St Albans City & District Council / Canva)
Hare & Hounds reopens after major investment
The Hare & Hounds closed in mid-August as the Stonegate Group gave it a major revamp. (Image: Stonegate Group)
December
St Albans teenager part of a team to open Britain's newest railway station
18-year-old Justin Nathan joined Thameslink earlier this year. (Image: Thameslink)
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