23 minute read
y Forging a new future
File & Forge’s new shop is a jewel in Sawbridgeworth’s crown
There’s a new business occupying 3 Bell Street in Sawbridgeworth – although the faces behind it are familiar ones. File & Forge jewellery school has opened its new home in the premises formerly occupied by Gowan Jewellers. Its owners, Emma Goodwin and Sally Andrews, had both previously worked for Joanne Gowan while also running their own successful jewellery-making workshop at Hatfield Heath for the past eight years. When Joanne said she intended to give up the premises to work from her home studio in Great Dunmow, Emma and Sally saw the perfect opportunity to bring their own business to the high street, taking over the building in March. Lockdown restrictions gave them time to redecorate and put their own stamp on the premises that have had a history of housing jewellers for some 180 years! Emma and Sally are both trained jewellers who work independently, and collaboratively under the File & Forge brand, in a range of materials. The shop sells their jewellery, gifts and cards, takes commissions and offers jewellery repairs, cleaning and restringing services. Jewellery-making workshops run throughout the week – ranging from four or six week courses offered on a set morning or afternoon each week, to one-off weekend classes for two hours on a Saturday. Weekend classes are designed to allow anyone keen to try their hand at jewellery-making the chance to do so in just a couple of hours and at affordable prices. For example, classes teaching you to make a textured silver ring, pendant or bangle are between £40 and £55 with the materials included. Proving popular (three couples have already attended since May) are workshops for couples who would like to make their own wedding rings. Options include two silver rings for £390 and £1,850 for two 18ct gold rings – File & Forge will even organise hallmarking of your items for you. You can book jewellery-making sessions for you and friends, for hen parties, and parties for children who can make bead bracelets, bag charms, key rings and rings, depending on their age. The business is open Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 4pm, Friday from 10am to 2pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer or get a no obligation quote for a repair, you can call 01279 597155.
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File & Forge
3 Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9AR 01279 597155 fileandforgejewelleryschool.co.uk Sally Andrews and Emma Goodwin at File & Forge
Mini emporium with a selection of dealers selling antiques, vintage and retro collectables 4 Mill Bridge, Hertford SG14 1PY 01992 509547
ANDREWS CHEMIST
104 High Street, Ware SG12 9AP 01920 462239
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Free prescription collection & delivery service
LATE NIGHT CHEMIST RESIDENTIAL & CARE HOME SERVICE CONSULTATION AREA
WARE CROSS PHARMACY
Gay’s Newsagents
28 FORE STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1BY
NEWSPAPERS & DELIVERY / MAGAZINES CONFECTIONERY / TOBACCONIST / E-CIGARETTES / LOTTO & MUCH MORE 01992 583253
Hoddesdon – the safest high street in Hertfordshire to shop in!
Love Hoddesdon continues to help the town bounce back quickly and effectively from the Covid-19 pandemic. A growing number of local businesses are now successfully participating in the county council’s Safe to Trade accreditation scheme, which aims to reassure shoppers and visitors that the business is trading in accordance with all Covid-19 requirements. The scheme was launched by Hertfordshire County Council in partnership with Broxbourne Borough Council and is being piloted in Broxbourne. It helps retail and hospitality businesses to reopen safely and with confidence, while keeping local residents safe. A Safe to Trade accreditation is evidence that a business is Covid-compliant and that there are measures in place to monitor its ongoing Covid-safety performance. Over 300 applications have been received and to date 223 have been approved for accreditation. Of these, 37 businesses have been approved in Hoddesdon town centre, making it the safest high street in Broxbourne and probably the whole of Hertfordshire to shop in! To find out which Hoddesdon businesses have been Safe to Trade approved visit safetotrade.org.uk.
Follow the Rainbow Trail
As we enter the summer months floral displays are bringing a splash of colour to the town centre while a new town centre trail has been launched to keep
Hopes are high that Give Your Town the Runaround will take place in September, while locals continue to enjoy alfresco dining in Hoddesdon, in which 37 businesses are now Safe to Trade accredited
the family entertained too. The Rainbow Trail has been set up in conjunction with Hoddesdon Parish Church. Every Saturday families can find knitted rainbows hidden in shop windows to secure some mosaic tiles. They then take these to the church to build into a giant public rainbow mosaic in the churchyard. This will become a permanent thank you to all those who helped Hoddesdon get through the pandemic.
Alfresco dining
Around 20 local pubs, restaurants and cafés now have pavement licences, creating a real Mediterranean feel to the town, which has proved very popular with the public, particularly now the sun is shining. Love Hoddesdon are looking to build on this in September when they host their first Food and Drink Fest on Saturday 4th September. Any street food operators interested in participating should email their details to lovehoddesdon@outlook.com.
Events programme
Love Hoddesdon had intended to kick off the town’s well-established programme of events on Saturday 10th July with the return of the Vintage and Classic Car Day. Unfortunately, in view of the current rising level of Covid cases and concerns that the number of people attending could exceed the current cap of 4,000 at outdoor events, this has been postponed by the council following advice from its Safety Advisory Group. A more low-key event is being considered for later in the month. Looking further ahead, the town’s Lowewood Museum will reopen to the public on Saturday 17th July, whilst the popular Give Your Town the Runaround is planned to return in September, together with the three-day Charter Fair in October and the Hoddesdon Loves Christmas event in November, provided social distancing restrictions have been lifted. Hoddesdon is fortunate that virtually all its businesses are open and trading again, including several new businesses. So why not pay them a visit and enjoy what Hoddesdon has to offer?
Welcome back to Hoddesdon
Help businesses survive and thrive
LOCAL INDEPENDENT
LANDSEER PICTURE FRAMING WARE
Gone are the days when the only things picture framers framed were pictures! Of course, the Ware-based Landseer Picture Framing will happily do that for you, but they can also frame medals, photos, uniform badges, ribbons, programmes etc, as well as sports shirts, including a child’s first sports shirt, which can make for a lovely family memento. The shop also sells handmade earthenware and stoneware sculptures produced by local artists, plus framed prints and readymade standard sized photo frames.
27b Baldock Street, Ware SG12 9DH
01920 486522 | landseerpictureframes.co.uk
FASHION FLOORING & INTERIORS
BISHOP’S STORTFORD
Fashion Flooring & Interiors offers everything you need to style your home. Their ground floor showroom has a huge range of carpets, from ultra-soft deep piles to classic Berbers and wool twists, along with funky patterns, zig-zags and stripes. If you are looking for a hard floor, they have real wood, engineered wood, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles. The lower ground floor is filled with rugs, while up on the first floor you will find fabrics galore for curtains, cushions and upholstery plus wallpapers, lighting and accessories.
1-3 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LS
01279 651514 fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk
POST & PACKING
HERTFORD
Post & Packing Hertford is your independent postal shop and aims to provide the local community with quick and hassle-free services. You can post your letters and parcels; arrange a courier including Hermes, DPD, UPS and DHL; hire a secure mailbox and even use the shop as a pick-up and collection point! If you sell online, Post and Packing also offers convenient storage with the full pick, pack and post fulfilment services so you can spend more time growing your business. 71 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AL 01992 472755 | postandpackinguk.com
ASHBOURNE INSURANCE HODDESDON
Award-winning Ashbourne Insurance is an independent, family-run broker which has been serving Broxbourne and East Herts customers for more than 40 years. They provide a one-stop service, from personal and complex commercial insurances to 24-hour claims advisory support. As an independent broker, they are able to search the whole market for insurance solutions at a price to suit any requirement: business, motor, home, travel, cyber or landlord insurance. They are authorised and regulated by the FCA. 50 Amwell Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8UA 01992 471001 | ashbourneinsurance.co.uk
HERTFORDSHIRE FIREPLACE GALLERY POTTERS BAR
The well-established Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery opened its doors 20 years ago and continues to help customers with their fireplace requirements. They have the largest selection of fires and fireplaces in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, and offer free surveys and free local delivery. Installation by qualified Gas Safe and HETAS engineers is also available. So whether you would like a traditional limestone, marble or timber surround or the latest contemporary hole in the wall fires, call in today!
9 Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2QX
01707 657070 | hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk
SOVEREIGN DRY CLEANERS
HERTFORD
Established in 1981, Sovereign Dry Cleaners of Excellence in Hertford are specialists in cleaning wedding dresses and silk clothes – in fact they are the official dry cleaners and finishers for renowned labels Veni Infantino and Ronald Joyce. They also offer suede and leather cleaning; a rug, curtain, cover and household laundry service; a handfinished shirt service and carry out repairs and alterations as well. Based in the heart of Hertford town centre, they are open 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday. 5 Evron Place, Hertford SG14 1PA 01992 550000 | sovereigndrycleaners.co.uk
LOCAL INDEPENDENT
FRENCH & DAY DELICATESSEN WARE
French & Day Delicatessen was opened in December 2020 and has quickly become a huge favourite with local foodies in Ware. Owned by husband and husband team Thomas Day and Tom French, the independent High Street deli offers high quality food and drink with a focus on locally-sourced products. Their all-British selection of meats and cheeses will be cut to order for you at their counter, whilst their wide range of quality wines is sourced through independent local suppliers.
55 High Street, Ware SG12 9BA
01920 461789 | frenchandday.co.uk
CRATES OF WOOL
WARE
Crates of Wool, run by Deb Cunningham, is a lovely, local, bricks-and-mortar yarn store in the heart of Ware that offers superb personal service. It is a treasure chest of natural fibres, locally dyed yarn, cotton, bamboo and standard acrylic, meeting the needs of anyone who knits or crochets. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Crates of Wool also offers local home delivery in SG12, 13 and 14 postcodes, and you can order online or by phone. Workshops will be restarting this month too.
8a East Street, Ware SG12 9HJ
01920 463436 | cratesofwool.co.uk
FRANKIE AND OLIVE
HERTFORD
Frankie and Olive is a Hertford boutique that sells ethically produced women’s clothing, accessories and homewares, and is celebrating its second birthday this month. Owner Louise is enjoying sharing her stylish summer collections in natural, sustainable fabrics and unique, affordable gifts made by artisans around the world. She is passionate about the future of the high street, good customer service and providing a safe, enjoyable shopping experience with a personal touch. 19 Old Cross, Hertford SG14 1RE 01992 677150 frankieandolive.co.uk
THE BOOK NOOK WARE
The Book Nook in Ware High Street, the only independent bookshop in East Hertfordshire, recently celebrated its second anniversary and was delighted to open its doors again to book loving customers. Its tea room is currently part open and is serving locally roasted coffees, a variety of teas and homemade cake, which you can enjoy in the courtyard or to take away. Visit The Book Nook today to browse the bookshelves, meet an author at one of its events and enjoy that new book smell!
CHAPTER 79
HERTFORD
Chapter 79, formerly known as Lance James the Jewellers, has just celebrated its 15th anniversary in Hertford. Jackie and Andy Benson and their team specialise in bespoke engagement and wedding rings and can supply rings from some of Europe’s finest jewellery houses such as Furrer-Jacot. They also stock the latest trends, including carbon fibre wedding bands, and sell a wide range of jewellery, showcasing silver collections by designers ChloBo, Virtue and San. An in-house repair and restoration service is available too.
15 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DQ
01992 534555 | chapter79.co.uk
KIDS CONNECTION
HERTFORD
Kids Connection has been supplying school uniform in Hertford for 21 years. Last year it expanded into larger premises, moving to Hartham Lane, near Sainsbury’s. The shop also supplies dancewear and guiding uniforms (Rainbow, Brownies and Guides). It is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and you can order online too. Heat pressing and embroidery services are available. There is no onsite parking so customers should use local car parks such as Hartham Lane and walk round to the shop. Unit 1A Great Northern Works, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QW 01992 587466 | kidsconnection.co.uk
Summer weddings: what are the rules as we await Freedom Day?
The Government’s original roadmap out of Covid restrictions had 21st June as being the date that all restrictions would be lifted, which would have meant the anticipated summer boom for weddings already booked would have been with us by now. However, the move back of so-called Freedom Day to 19th July has led to further confusion for stressed couples whose big day has already probably been planned, re-planned and then re-planned again. Many of us will have received invitations to weddings for this summer too. So what exactly are the current rules in England? Well, as with so many things at the moment, it’s not exactly black and white. The Government’s announcement last month has led to some relaxation. Before that day, weddings were limited to a maximum of 30 people, including bride and groom. That cap has now been lifted – but, for the moment at least, there are still some limits to be aware of. Although any number of guests can now be invited to a wedding ceremony or reception held either outside or in a Covid-secure venue, those venues must still comply with social distancing rules, which will limit how many people they can host. They must also provide table service (like pubs and restaurants currently have to) and dancing and singing are still restricted. Of course, depending upon how you feel about the worst types of dad dancers this may not be the end of your world… More seriously though, face coverings must be worn by anyone aged over 11 years when not eating or drinking, unless they are exempt. This includes staff at the venue, though not the couple or the person officiating. Hopefully, if the data allows and restrictions are lifted on 19th July, anyone whose wedding is due to take place after that date will be able to enjoy their day in the manner they had originally hoped. But if that is the case, one word of warning: do watch out for those dad dancers…
Celebrate at Ware Priory
…we’ve got something special for you!
Weddings / Parties / Business Events and so much more…
A choice of historic, traditional and contemporary surroundings, a range of wonderful rooms acommodating 10 to 200 guests, picturesque riverside location, beautiful gardens and superb catering. High Street, Ware Hertfordshire SG12 9AL Tel: 01920 460316 www.warepriory.co.uk warepriory warepriory
Rising prices and higher demand mean property market is booming
Lisa Ward of Ward Estates says all types of homes are selling quickly if sensibly priced
The sales market has certainly been a busy one over the past year and we have seen a rise in property prices, mainly due to the exemption of Stamp Duty which is soon to taper off. The price rise is also due to a higher demand from those wishing to move in from the London area, with both Hertford and Ware attractive options for those looking to move out. Here at Ward Estates, we have noticed an increase in applicants registering their details with us and we are selling the vast majority of our stock extremely quickly, with the demand for both apartments and houses on the rise. The market is still very strong at this time for all types of purchasers. We are also seeing a higher level of investor landlords coming forward, possibly because of the impact the house price rises have had on rental values. Ward Estates, which is based in Parliament Square in Hertford, aims to provide a niche, boutique service in selling and purchasing homes. We are an all-female operating business and provide an outstanding and professional level of customer service whilst ensuring we remain competitive with our fees to a vendor. It is key for a vendor to start off with the correct marketing price and we undertake extensive research to ensure that this initial figure is set in line with current market values to avoid price reductions and properties becoming stagnant on the market. Whilst we wish to achieve the highest possible figure, we remain honest and factual during this
Folly Island in Hertford
stage in the valuation process. It is also imperative throughout the sales transaction that there is a good team to assist with the sales progression for both vendor and purchaser – as well as their solicitors – and we pride ourselves on ensuring all parties are continually assisted and kept informed. Ward Estates have been trading for four years and we work closely with our sister company SageWard Lettings, ensuring we have both angles of the market covered. We look forward to continuing to expand Ward Estates and we remain hopeful that the market will continue to be a positive one.
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
AN ALL-FEMALE HERTFORD ESTATE AGENCY, BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER WITH OUR CLIENT FOCUS, PASSION AND GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND.
A NAME YOU CAN TRUST IN ESTATE AGENCY...
WARD ESTATES BELIEVES IN PROVIDING AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE BY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE REQUIREMENTS OF CUSTOMERS.
We understand that selling and purchasing a property can be both stressful and worrying. The Ward Estates team aim to make this experience as straight forward as possible without subjecting you to hard sale techniques or a stereotypical Estate agent approach.
The family homes which offer parents a rare space to escape
St Edward’s Gate near Cuffley has just been launched. A highlight of The Dorchester house type is the top floor master suite, shown above
Lockdown has led many people to re-evaluate where they live, with many now seeking properties with more space and greenery. A new development, set between Cuffley and Goffs Oak, is seeking to bridge the gap between rural and city living. St Edward’s Gate has just been launched by independent local housebuilder Chase New Homes and is a collection of 23 four and five-bedroom houses on a private gated development surrounded by ancient woodland and rural farmland. The development features a range of stylish executive house types, all of which differ in architectural style and layout. One such house type is The Dorchester, a striking five-bedroom family home. Spread over three floors, the house features an open plan kitchen and dining room, separate living room and a master suite that spans the whole third floor. Paul Bennett, sales and marketing director at Chase New Homes, said: “The Dorchester epitomises the properties here. It has been created with the adults of the home in mind. The master suite is the jewel in the crown, spanning the whole of the top floor. This room is complete with a lounge and walk-in dressing area as well as a stylish en-suite bathroom, guaranteeing that parents have a space to escape.” Finished to a high standard as you would expect, the homes at St Edward’s Gate have fully fitted designer kitchens with integrated Siemens appliances, Amtico flooring and underfloor heating. Large bifold doors connect the inside and outside, leading to landscaped gardens and patio spaces, some of which look directly onto woodland. Integral garages provide storage for bicycles and cars and lead onto private driveways. Prices start at £950,000 and buyers of The Eton house type can currently benefit from Stamp Duty paid, complimentary window dressings and £2,000 towards their legal fees. For further information call selling agents Statons on 020 8440 9555 or email newhomes@statons.com.
5% deposit scheme offers hope for first time buyers and runs until December 2022
Although the price of the average home continues to rise, there is some good news at the moment for first time buyers. The Government’s recently launched five per cent deposit mortgage scheme will be a boost for many, making it that much easier to save for that crucial first deposit. Most mainstream lenders are now on board with the scheme which requires buyers to have a minimum deposit of five per cent rather than the 10 per cent which had been more usual in recent years. The scheme is scheduled to run until December 2022 and, unlike the Help to Buy Equity Loan, it is available on both new build and existing properties (Help to Buy, which is also still running, is for new builds only).
Shift to home working may have unexpected tax consequences
By Stuart Everett of Hertford accountants Meyer Williams
The shift to home working brought about by the pandemic could cost the UK economy up to £32bn a year in lost personal income tax. Highly-paid workers who live abroad but work in the UK will pay their income tax in their country of residence, rather than to HMRC – which researchers say could cost billions each year. This new workforce mobility may also affect where corporate income tax is paid and value created, as well as VAT on where goods and services are purchased.
A crisis is looming
Professor Rita de la Feria, chair in tax law at the School of Law at Leeds University, has said: “The acceleration of digitalisation and the spread of remote working internationally as a result of the pandemic poses very significant challenges to personal income taxes. “New mobile workers are likely to be at top of the income distribution, and even a small number could result in significant revenue losses to the UK, of between £6bn and £32bn. “The likely effect will be a tightening of employment rules, introduction of new tax avoidance rules and increased personal income taxes competition with countries fighting to attract new mobile workers. “The impact of these labour changes is likely to be more significant in countries such as the UK, which relies heavily on income tax, especially from a small number of high-income – and now potentially mobile – taxpayers. How big these challenges are, and how countries will react to them, will be a key issue in the coming years.”
Staff working from home abroad will reduce the UK’s tax take
How the losses could add up
Total income tax paid in the UK in 2018-19 was £187bn, with 35% paid by the 4.2m higher rate taxpayers, and 31% from additional rate taxpayers. An estimated 31% of UK jobs can be carried out remotely – of which an as yet unknown share will be internationally mobile. Assuming only higher and additional rate taxpayers are internationally mobile, the researchers say the potential loss in income tax would be between 2% and 10% of the total revenue – between £3.8bn and £19bn a year. Including social security contribution losses of between £2.7bn and £13bn a year, the total income tax revenue loss would amount to between £6.5bn and £32.5bn per annum. The researchers say recent global tax discussions have focused on solving challenges to corporation tax posed by digitalisation, but the pandemic-led shift to remote working could pose an even bigger crisis.
Making Tax Digital: Make sure you’re ready for what’s coming up
The primary legislation for Making Tax Digital relating to VAT and Income Tax is contained in the Finance (No.2) Act 2017, providing certainty about the broad framework in which Making Tax Digital will operate, with secondary legislation for VAT laid in February 2018, which came into force from April 2019. VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover below £85,000 will be required to follow Making Tax Digital rules for their first return starting in or after April 2022. Self-employed businesspeople and landlords with annual business or property income above £10,000 will need to follow the rules for MTD for Income Tax from their next accounting period starting on or after 6th April 2023. The Government will provide businesses with an opportunity to take part in a pilot for Making Tax Digital for Corporation Tax and will not mandate its usage before 2026. If you need help getting ready for this, please make an appointment. You can call me on 01992 550721.
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