The St Albans Times

17/09/2026

EXCLUSIVE stories you simply won't read anywhere else pack out the pages of this week's St Albans Times... If you want to know what's happening in the district, check out the link below.
Meet the stars of The Alban Arena's 2026 panto, find out how the SEGRO rail freight depot is threatening numerous mature trees at Park Street roundabout, discover the black hole hanging over St Albans council finances for next year, learn what the latest news is from the former site of Butterfly World, sign up for this year's St Albans Sleepout, meet the St Columba's College student who swam the English Channel, hear about portfolio careers, plus more news, sport, features, reviews and opinion than you'll find in any other St Albans newspaper...
Every page tells a story. Trusted local news - in the community, for the community... Proudly covering stories from across the city and district.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors: Collinson Hall, EYES on St Albans, Lumin Wealth, Abbey Theatre - St Albans, Sherrards Solicitors, ArtShed, Brilliant Theatre, Brilliant Film Academy, Starling Homecare, Youth Talk, St Albans High School for Girls, Beechwood Park School, St Columba's College...
Thanks to all our fabulous
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17/09/2026

“I’m absolutely delighted to see The Barn announce its opening season. This beautiful, atmospheric new space will be a worthy home for bold, imaginative and inspiring theatre that challenges convention and excites audiences.”
OVO

Dame Joanna Lumley - patron of St Albans-based professional theatre company OVO - has shared her excitement at the opening of its new theatre The Barn.

16/09/2026

“If we’d known the new costs were coming, we would have closed. We simply cannot absorb them and we can’t keep putting up prices and expect customers to keep buying."
HATCH, Smallford Farm Shop

16/09/2026

Just a few weeks to go before the new store opens its doors...
Maltings Shopping Centre

Homeware retailer Lakeland is opening a new store at The Maltings Shopping Centre this October.

16/09/2026

"What if we accepted that September might be a little messy?
That there might be tired mornings, forgotten PE kits, tears, arguments, excitement, nerves and the occasional complete meltdown?
What if we simply gave ourselves – and our children – a little more grace?"

It’s OK To Say founder and CEO Stacey Turner, looks ahead at the challenges of the new academic year… I hope you all had a lovely summer and created many memories. My daughters and I are grateful for the summer we have had with family and friends with many cherished...

16/09/2026

"Many years in a row, now, I’ve made grape and rosemary jelly with the garden haul, inspired by one of my oldest friend’s mum, Liz, whose jelly consistently tastes better than mine, no matter how I tweak the recipe."
FOOD by Elena

Elena Hogg, founder of local culinary company FOOD by Elena, has plans for her garden grapes...

16/09/2026

“We’ve definitely noticed people becoming braver,” says Jez Levy. “For years people would apologise for choosing something colourful. Now they’re actively looking for frames that make them smile.”
EYES on St Albans

For EYES on St Albans, colourful eyewear isn’t a new trend. It’s been quietly happening in Marshalswick for more than eight years.

16/09/2026

What object would you save first if your house was on fire?
"My laptop, probably because it’s new (Should I have said my children here?)."

St Albans dad Ben Whitehead, founder of children’s snack brand Scrapples, answers our Q&A.

15/09/2026

"At Samuel Ryder Academy, technology is not an end in itself. It is a powerful tool that enables our students to be creative, collaborative and confident learners."

Samuel Ryder Academy has again been recognised with an international designation awarded to schools that demonstrate continuous innovation in teaching and learning through the effective use of Apple technology.

14/09/2026

"In St Albans change was also afoot. A new Bishop, Robert Runcie, arrived in 1970 and remained throughout the decade, before his promotion to Archbishop of Canterbury. He was to achieve worldwide TV fame as the priest who married Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, but later retired to St Albans and is buried in the Cathedral graveyard."

Let’s face it, the Seventies were nothing if not eventful. It was a period of strikes, power cuts and economic upheaval. Even the Beatles shocked the nation with their break-up...