7 Stevenage and North Herts businesses that have opened in 2024

From doughnuts and coffee to jewellery and clothing, there have been plenty of new businesses to get excited about this year.

Here are just seven that we've picked out.

1. OneStop, Stevenage

Then Mayor of Stevenage Myla Arceno officially opened the OneStop shop in Kenilworth Close (Image: Stevenage Borough Council) Part of the Kenilworth Close development off Hertford Road, the OneStop Shop was opened by the then Mayor Myla Arceno back in February.

Selling a range of food and other daily essentials, the chain operates 1,000 shops across the UK.

Overseen by Stevenage Borough Council, the Kenilworth Close development includes the construction of 236 homes, several shops, a café and a community space.

2. Little Latte's Coffee & Play, Letchworth

Little Latte's Coffee and Play opened in April (Image: Love Letchworth) Opening in April, Little Latte's Coffee and Play provides a space for parents to grab a coffee and food, while their children enjoy the soft play area.

Located at 12-14 The Arcade, Little Latte's describes itself as "a space for families to enjoy themselves in a safe and fun environment."

3.  Britannia Fish and Chips, Letchworth

Sticking with Letchworth, where April also saw a new fish and chip shop open in the town.

Britannia Fish and Chips welcomed excited customers to its home in Southfields, where it provided a welcome addition to the parade of shops.

4. TK Maxx and Homesense, Stevenage

A huge queue of people formed to be the first inside the new store. (Image: TK Maxx) On June 29, three days after leaving its home in The Forum, TK Maxx opened a two floor, 30,164 square foot site alongside sister store Homesense at the Roaring Meg.

A spokesperson for TK Maxx and Homesense said at the time: “We are thrilled to bring Homesense to Stevenage, and give shoppers the chance to shop TK Maxx and Homesense side-by-side."

5. Thistle and Willow, Stevenage

Thistle and Willow (Image: Thistle & Willow) In May, homeware shop Thistle and Willow opened on the High Street.

Thistle and Willow offers an eclectic mix of homewares, clothing, jewellery, artwork, candles and more.

At the time of opening, a spokesperson said:  "We will be supporting independent businesses and giving them the chance to sell their products in a shop setting, but without the expense that comes with that, by offering a rental space."

6. The Shack, Hitchin

The Shack's manager Ash Millward was all smiles on opening night. (Image: Dan Mountney) After an eight-month wait, The Shack opened at 32 Sun Street in August.

Manager Ash Willard said: ""I think the opening was absolutely worth the wait. The ethos we always have is that if we have wait a little bit to deliver then we’ll do that. We want to give people as close to perfection as possible."

In a review later that month, Comet reporter Dan Mountney wrote that the eatery is "jaw-dropping", with food that is "full of flavour".

7. Say, Hitchin

Aaron Shade outside Say's new Hitchin store. (Image: Dan Mountney) Finally, doughnut shop Say, opened in 38 Churchyard earlier this month.

After an August opening was delayed, couple Aaron and Sarah welcomed customers in for the first time last week.

The business started when the pair began making doughnuts to pass the time in lockdown.

Aaron said: "We feel like we’ve got a bit of a niche with the doughnuts, but we are trying to broaden what we do now with buns.

"Doughnuts are treats, and its not treat day every day, but you do need lunch or a coffee every day."

"We’re trying to provide that without going too off course from what we do."