We are thrilled to announce that our fabulous town has won the final in FOUR categories of the 2025 Muddy Stilettos Lifestyle Awards for Herts & Beds. Thanks to everyone who voted. To the businesses, thank you for all you do and bring to the town. Congratulations to our three town centre BID businesses. We are brimming with pride like proud parents! Best Cafe South Street Pantry Best Women’s Style Maison de Scarlett Best Restaurant Roni’s Restaurant Congratulations also to Sanchia Aronberg: Mind & Body for winning the Well-Being Specialist category for the Bishop’s Stortford area. Let’s celebrate the town!… Read more »

The town centre offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor eating and drinking and enjoying the warmer weather. Here’s some inspiration! Pub gardens If you fancy whiling away an afternoon over a drink in the sunshine, try The Half Moon on North Street with its secret garden and courtyard or The Star on Bridge Street, complete with beer garden and beach huts. Riverside locations For a drink by the water, how about Wetherspoons on Adderley Road? Skew opposite, offers fine dining at covered riverside tables. Street-side tables For watching the world go by, try Olyra Greek Bakehouse on Riverside, Cafe Mocha on… Read more »

The BID is delighted to sponsor this year’s Carnival Parade and Fun Day on Saturday 21st June, organised by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council. Read on for more details about how we’re getting involved… TOWN CENTRE ENTERTAINMENT: To further enhance the atmosphere, both before the parade (from 9am) and during, the BID is providing: Roaming street performers with carnival-themed giveaways FREE face painting at Florence Walk (Water Lane/Waitrose entrance), provided by Aga’s Fantasy Faces SWORDERS FIELD FUN DAY: We will also have a presence at the Fun Day on Sworders Field (12 noon – 5pm), sharing what’s coming up in the… Read more »

Following public feedback and much lobbying, we are pleased to see changes and improvements underway in Northgate End Car Park, with the aim of improving safety and the overall experience. In recent weeks, a security office has been constructed in the entrance, lighting extended in the stairwell, new fire doors installed and walls and ceilings painted white to lighten and brighten the space. New automatic doors have also been approved and due to be installed shortly. Other changes, including the access to the car park, are also under discussion. In addition, the BID’s Welcome Rangers are present for several hours… Read more »

Congratulations to Nicole Peskett from Stock Florist who won this year’s BID Extra Mile Award at the Independent’s Community Awards last month. Nicole is a fantastic example of going above and beyond and providing Customer Service + in the town, and is a true asset to our high street. Thank you to Nicole, Stock Florist owner Sam Raindle and all the team for everything you bring to Bishop’s Stortford. Congratulations also to the other nominees for this award – Steph and the team at Stephanie Louise Clinics, Cafe Thyme, Oliver at South Street Pantry, Lindsey and team at Click Click,… Read more »

To enhance the shopper experience over the busy festive period, the BID is funding Welcome Rangers in the town’s two biggest car parks. You’ll spot them in their hi-vis BID branded jackets with “Here To Help” messaging assisting with identifying parking spaces, ticket machines, check in/check out and keeping the car parks feeling safe, clean and welcoming. Rangers will be present in Northgate End car park from 10am – 4pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up until Christmas, starting this Friday 6 December. On Saturday 7 December, Rangers will also be in Jackson Square car park, assisting visitors wherever possible.

The 2024 tree is up and adorned! Thank you to the Town Council for supplying the tree and cherry picker, and also assisting BID Managers Madeleine & Karen with the decorating. Once again, the BID have sponsored the tree in Market Square for all to enjoy this festive season. They have also invested in new decorations – reindeer, lolly pops, candy canes, bows and giant baubles all available from Elements Home & Garden’s dedicated Christmas Shop on Dane Street. We are delighted with the lovely comments and feedback, thank you! Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

Taxi Marshals will once again be at the train station this month helping keep people safe over the busy festive season. The marshals are employed to help manage the queue and get people safely into taxis at the end of their night out. They will be present between 10.30pm and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights throughout December as well as key celebration days over the festive period. See below for a full list of dates: Friday 6 December/ Saturday 7 December/ Friday 13 December/ Saturday 14 December/ Friday 20 December/ Saturday 21 December/ Tuesday 24 December/ Friday 27 December/… Read more »

What a great day in the town centre! Thank you to everyone who came along to our Christmas launch event and supported our high street businesses. We hope you enjoyed yourselves and the fabulous entertainment, promotions, prizes and giveaways on offer.

Thanks to all the schools and registered charities that applied to win one of ten £50 Discover Stortford gift cards on offer for an upcoming fundraiser. The draw has now taken place and winners notified. They are: Richard Whittington Primary School PFA Christmas Bazaar on 3 December NSPPC East Christmas Pudding Workshop on 24 November/Wreath Making on 7 December, both at Parsonage Hall Birchanger Primary School PTA Christmas Fayre on 6 December St Michael’s Primary School PTFA School Fete on 30 November Grove Cottage Bishop’s Stortford Mencap Festive Fun Run on 24 November from the bandstand at Castle Park Windhill… Read more »

Are you looking for a raffle prize for your sports club, school PTA or other local charitable group? Do you have a Christmas fundraiser coming up? We at the Bishop’s Stortford Business Improvement District (BID) like to do our bit in the community. Following the success of our recent giveaways, we are delighted to once again donate ten £50 Discover Stortford gift cards for fundraising events taking place in and around Bishop’s Stortford this festive season. If you are hosting an event in support of a local charity and would like a chance to receive a gift card to be… Read more »

Get in the Christmas spirit! Enjoy performances from local choirs, dance groups and acoustic singers in Market Square between 12-4pm. Rock Choir will be opening the event at midday. BSMTC, Forte Performing Arts School and KBD Dance will also be performing throughout the afternoon. Look out for Christmas characters with free giveaways across the town centre. Visit the BID gazebo opposite Market Square (outside Fat Face) for a competition and town centre information and initiatives, including the proposed public realm improvements to North Street. Face painting will be available in Jackson Square’s new community space at the top of the… Read more »