Love Hoddesdon BID manager hands over the reins

Tony Cox, the man who has done so much to lead the day-to-day work of the highly successful Love Hoddesdon BID since its inception five years ago, has retired.

The job of manager of the Business Improvement District has been taken over by another popular and well-known local figure, Claire Bayless, whose work as Morrison’s community champion in Hoddesdon, particularly during the pandemic, has already resulted in her having a new bridge in the town named after her!

Tony became the manager of the BID, whose role is to improve and promote the town centre and its businesses, when it came into being in 2018.

Having been Town Centres Manager at Broxbourne Council he was well placed to take on the task.

His work was recognised in 2022 when Broxbourne Council presented him with a Borough Community Award for all the work he did to support businesses during the pandemic.

Tony said: “The last five years have been both interesting and challenging but, despite the impact of Covid, Hoddesdon is bouncing back well, with low vacancy rates and increasing footfall levels, and is once again punching above its weight for what is a small market town. I am convinced that Claire will help it to continue to thrive over the next five years and more.”

Claire has lived in Hoddesdon for more than 20 years and has been working at Morrisons in the High Street since the store opened in 2013.

She explained: “My role as community champion became full-time just before the Covid pandemic

Karen set to bake her last cake this summer

Karen’s Cakes, one of Bishop’s Stortford’s longest surviving independent shops, will be closing its doors this summer when owner Karen Burton retires.

Karen started her business 37 years ago with a shop in Waltham Abbey. She opened a second shop in Bishop’s Stortford 20 years ago, eventually consolidating the business in the Northgate End premises. The business, in which she works alongside her sister Lin Faiers, makes and decorates cakes for all occasions, from birthdays to weddings, and will remain working as normal until 3rd June.

Some recent family bereavements led Karen to take a fresh look at what she wanted to do in life, with the constant pressure of supplying cakes for immoveable deadlines prompting a re-think.

She now plans to stay in the industry, helping others through a new advice website.

Karen has also been chair of

Bishop’s Stortford BID for the last five years and is currently exploring whether it will be possible for her to remain in the role when she closes her shop.

Karen said: “I’ve always liked the job, it’s a lovely one to do. But the pressure of always having to meet deadlines, in the face of some things that have happened with my family recently, has meant a change is necessary – we need to have a life.” So, if you need a cake baking and decorating for a special occasion in the next few months, get your order in to Karen quickly – because 3rd June is one deadline she definitely will not be moving! and no-one could have imagined how important it would become to so many groups and families when they needed help the most. I will be forever grateful for this role as it introduced me to the Love Hoddesdon BID and I became part of the team dealing with event planning.”

In February this year, Morrisons decided to scale back the community champion roles but, more happily for Claire, the news coincided with Tony’s decision to retire and, after due consideration, she decided to apply for the role. She said: “I am honoured to follow on from Tony and his amazing work and will do my best to make sure Love Hoddesdon BID continues to thrive.”

Kevin Brooks, chairman of the BID, said: “Since its inception Love Hoddesdon has gradually built a reputation for being ambitious, imaginative and inclusive. Much of that has come from the personality and hard work of Tony Cox, our BID manager. Tony will be sorely missed but I am delighted Claire has joined us and I know she will further enhance the good work done by Tony.”

Hertford TTIC to support more local volunteer groups

Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre is increasing its focus on supporting volunteering in the town, inviting local charities to run awareness sessions in its premises and promoting a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Charities and voluntary groups seeking volunteers are encouraged to provide details of these for display, and people looking to see what they might volunteer to do are urged to visit and see what’s on offer.

The Town and Tourist Information Centre is located at 10-12 The Wash, opposite Hertford Theatre.