The Comet

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Padel Zone Ltd put forward a proposal to turn a waste centre at 5 Hunting Gate into an indoor venue for racket-based sport padel, with North Herts Council granting conditional permission. "Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UK and Europe," a planning statement reads. "Presently there are no dedicated padel centres in North Herts, with aspiring players contending with many other sports for court time at local leisure centres.

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Train spotters gathered to see the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 No. 60163 Tornado which was pulling The Railway Touring Company's Jolly Fisherman from London King's Cross to Skegness and back. The locomotive departed London at 7.15am and steamed through Potters Bar at 8am, before arriving at Stevenage to drop off passengers at 8.20am. The original Peppercorn Class A1's were all scrapped, meaning Tornado is a replica which was built to the original designs back in 2008.

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

The property was broken into in the early hours of Saturday, May 31, with Herts police quickly launching an investigation. Ben Young, of The Chace in Stevenage, was arrested on June 1 and charged with burglary of a dwelling and possession of an offensive weapon. The 39-year-old appeared at Hatfield Remand Court on June 2, where he pleaded guilty. He is set to be sentenced on June 27 at St Albans Crown Court.

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

18 units at Baldock Industrial Estate have been earmarked for the rebuild. (Image: Gareth Loader) Plans have been approved to rebuild businesses that were destroyed in the devastating fire at Baldock Industrial Estate almost two years ago. On July 11, 2023, a blaze which started in a wood burning water boiler ripped through the London Road site, which fortunately left no casualties but did affect more than 40 units.

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Plenty of exciting new businesses have opened. (Image: Aaron Carter/The Pool Hall/Ephesus Meze & Grill) This past month has seen plenty of excitement as new businesses opened across Hertfordshire, but lots of sadness as beloved stores set to close. Here's five businesses that opened or closed this month. 1. Ronan's Coffee A new coffee shop has opened in Hitchin, serving coffee sourced from South London alongside delicious baked goods.