Hertfordshire

Regional reporting on foodservice and hospitality activity across Hertfordshire, with updates from St Albans, Watford, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, and Harpenden. This section highlights restaurant and pub openings, commuter-driven dining patterns, local sourcing, and F&B strategy shaped by a mix of affluence, tourism, and family-led demand. Designed for chefs, operators, and hospitality professionals, it offers insight into trading conditions and opportunities across one of the South East’s most commercially active counties.

  • Jul- 2023 -
    20 July
    Catering CompaniesESS secures Bedfordshire Police catering contract

    ESS secures Bedfordshire Police catering contract

    The Energy, Government and Infrastructure sector of ESS, part of Compass Group UK and Ireland, has secured the Bedfordshire Police as its latest catering contract. ESS said that key to the award was the company’s “commitment to welfare through a variety of food offerings and environments that enable officers and…

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  • Jun- 2023 -
    8 June
    Catering CompaniesFormer HCI president Paul Foulger dies age 85

    Former HCI president Paul Foulger dies age 85

    Paul Foulger, former president of the Institute of Hospitality and former head of catering and employee services at Sainsbury has died at 85. Foulger joined the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI) back in 1953, 18 years before the HCI merged with the Institutional Management Association (IMA) to form the HCIMA,…

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  • Dec- 2021 -
    20 December
    Pubs and BarsHertfields takes on third leased pub

    Hertfields takes on third leased pub

    Hertfordshire-based events and hospitality company Hertfields has taken on its third leased pub – The Fox at Pirton near Hitchin – following a £170,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs and Bars. The company said the investment has aimed to restore the local to “its former glory as a great quality traditional…

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  • 13 December
    Pubs and BarsOakman plans further sites amid sales boost

    Oakman plans further sites amid sales boost

    The Oakman Group has unveiled details of further expansion plans, with plans to open 70 sites by June 2026, having welcomed a period of sales growth in its latest trading update.  The pub group delivered sales of just over £26m in the 21 weeks ended 5 December, having reported a…

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  • Nov- 2021 -
    17 November
    Pubs and BarsFarr Brew takes on third Star Pubs & Bars lease

    Farr Brew takes on third Star Pubs & Bars lease

    Hertfordshire based brewer and multiple pub operator, Farr Brew, has taken on a substantive lease for The Eight Bells in Old Hatfield and is undertaking a joint £230,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs and Bars. The Eight Bells is the company’s third Star Pubs and Bars lease, with another pub on…

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  • May- 2021 -
    4 May
    Pubs and BarsFishermann Pub Group opens second site with Star Pubs and Bars

    Fishermann Pub Group opens second site with Star Pubs and Bars

    Fishermann Pub Group, a Hertfordshire pub operator, is set to open its second site with Star Pubs and Bars – following a £550k joint refurbishment.  The Rose and Crown at Welwyn has been transformed from a previously wet-led local pub, into a venue which also now serves food. In addition,…

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  • Dec- 2020 -
    18 December
    CoronavirusUKH: Tier 3 expansion will bring hospitality ‘further heartbreak’

    UKH: Tier 3 expansion will bring hospitality ‘further heartbreak’

    UKHospitality has warned the recently announced expansion of Tier 3 will “bring further despair” to struggling businesses across the hospitality sector.  It comes as UK government officials yesterday (17 December) announced that the majority of the South East and East of England would enter Tier 3 this weekend, as coronavirus…

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  • 17 December
    CoronavirusRestrictions widen as millions enter Tier 3

    Restrictions widen as millions enter Tier 3

    UK government officials have announced that the majority of the South East and East of England will enter Tier 3 this weekend, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in many parts of the country.  Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the increased restrictions were necessary in order to control the…

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  • 16 December
    NewsRestaurants face increased food wastage in Tier 3

    Restaurants face increased food wastage in Tier 3

    The new tiered restrictions in London, Essex and Hertfordshire could see millions of pounds worth of food and drinks get thrown away, according to The Guardian. Kate Nicholls, chief executive for UKHospitality, told the paper that as with previous short-notice lockdowns, the new tiered restrictions will cause a “glut of…

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  • 15 December
    CoronavirusTier 3 restrictions will see 1,250 pubs close, BBPA says

    Tier 3 restrictions will see 1,250 pubs close, BBPA says

    The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said that the government’s decision to put parts of London and the South East into Tier 3 restrictions will force 1,250 pubs to close.  It follows an announcement by UK health secretary Matt Hancock which stated that as of Wednesday (16 December),…

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