Vegan maps is a new initiative set up by sisters Madi and Nancy Attfield. They want to encourage more sustainable eating around Bishop’s Stortford. There’s a great offering of food and drink in our town centre, and they want to help people slowly introduce themselves to vegan food, without the stress of having to cook it from scratch. They’re working on a scheme to make it clear for diners to know if a cafe or restaurant has a vegan option. You’ll find a sticker in the window and they are working to create a map. With veganurary approaching, they’d love… Read more »

You are invited to take part in a fun festive quiz which is designed to encourage local shopping through the town’s local gift card. Together with our gift card company, we have launched the ‘What’s Your Perfect Gift’ Christmas quiz. Answer the questions to figure out which present you would most like to receive for Christmas by answering five festive questions, including your favourite Christmas movie, favourite holiday food, and the present you asked Santa for as a child. Players have a chance to win a £100 Discover Stortford Gift Card. The Bishop’s Stortford Gift Card launched in summer 2021… Read more »

To celebrate the arrival of Rapunzel, a Scott Ritchie Production in Association with South Mill Arts this Christmas, we thought we’d spread the Christmas cheer and create a cake competition! With a wicked witch, a feisty heroine, a talking horse and a host of adventures, Rapunzel combines all the magic of a traditional Christmas Panto with a vibrant take on a classic and much loved story. Packed with songs, dance routines and jokes a-plenty there is something for everyone to love, so book your tickets now for the family show of the year!  Get tangled up with a host of loveable characters from this… Read more »

North Street business Enable Independent Financial Life Planners have their very own Elf this year, and he’s going out and about in Bishop’s Stortford encouraging everyone to support local this Christmas. Eric the Elf has already visited the local paper, the bowling alley and been shopping for new clothes, but where will go next? You can join in the fun and enter their competition. All you have to do is: ❶ Guess where Eric is shopping on that day… ❷ Tag a friend who may like to shop there too! ❸ Like our page & share Enable Independent flp –… Read more »

Congratulations to North Street business Stock Florist on winning the November Mayor’s Award for Business. Just like many of us, Cllr Keith Warnell has been impressed by their incredible floral displays outside the shop throughout the year, with the Christmas wreath really bringing the Christmas magic. Samantha Raindle chose Bishop’s Stortford as the location for her second store, which she opened mid pandemic. Certainly a brave move, but thanks to her hard work and beautiful creations, she’s survived the tough times and her business is going from strength to strength. Samantha was nominated for these very reasons. We are delighted… Read more »

Once again, the BID are funding two parking marshals in Jackson Square car park every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the run up to Christmas. In addition they will also be there on Thursday 2 December (late night shopping) and the week leading up to Christmas Eve. The aim of the marshals is to provide assistance and reassurance to customers. Jackson Square car park is our biggest short stay car park, and therefore a popular choice for shoppers. We’re all aware of that in peak times it can become problematic for drivers to get out, which can turn into a… Read more »

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Halloween events we organised in the town centre in October. The pumpkin trail ran for 9 days over half term and we were delighted to see so many people walking around town hunting for them. On Sunday 31 October we held a #ScarySelfie day in Jackson Square. An wow what a day this was! Thank you to everyone who came along dressed up and posed for their photo. We hope you all enjoyed your treats. For each event we had a winner and two runner up prizes. First prize… Read more »

Congratulations to Unique Hairdressing on Bridge Street, part of the Jackson Square shopping centre for winning the Mayor’s Award for Business for October for an innovative business idea. Always striving to offer the best service to their customers, this family run business is really living up to it’s Unique name! The business is owned and managed by husband and wife team Michele and Anna Pelosi, but it was their son Mattia who had innovative idea to put in a cocktail bar, so their clients can really enjoy their visit. It was this fantastic idea which really impressed Mayor Cllr Keith… Read more »

We are very lucky to have an excellent butcher on our high street and I am delighted to say their excellent customer service has been recognised this month, as the Mayor has selected them from all nominations received to be the September Mayor’s Business of the Month Award winners. Jane Price, who has lived in Bishop’s Stortford for almost 25 years, nominated Humphrey’s. She started shopping with Humphrey’s when the first lockdown came in March last year and the supermarket queues were extremely long and in her words said: “We have not looked back. All of their meat is of… Read more »

During the school summer holidays Stort Valley Rotary Club, as part of their Helping Herts Campaign, organised a book trail around the town. There were 17 books to locate in shop windows across the town centre. The BID were very pleased to be able to support this event, as funds raised went to Hertfordshire Hospices and the Citizens Advice. The winner of the Discover Stortford gift cards, donated by the BID were sisters Zara (7) and Holly (5) Harris. We were delighted to meet them and hand over the voucher. Our huge congratulations to you both, happy shopping! Derek Crowther… Read more »

Over the summer the BID helped run two trail events, one in conjunction with the Royal British Legion to celebrate their centenary. The Royal British Legion asked local primary schools to create artwork to reflect their work, and we show some beautiful creations. Our thanks go to Bishop’s Stortford College Prep, All Saints C of E, Thorn Grove, St Michael’s, St Joseph’s Catholic, Hillmead and Thorley Hill for their efforts. The trail ran throughout August and all entrants who submitted their completed form were entered into a prize draw to win a Discover Stortford Gift Card. We are delighted to… Read more »

The Mayor’s Business Award for August has been awarded to Café Nostimo, the family run business on Market Square. Cllr Keith Warnell selected them as his winner, thanks to the multiple nominations commending them for excellent customer service and range of speciality products. Mr and Mrs Phillips nomination really sums up why they were chosen as winners. They said: “We have been customers for a number of years, even during lockdown, when Nostimo operated a take away service. This is not just a cafe/ deli but a cafe/deli hub. A cafe where the customer always receives a warm welcome and… Read more »