Welwyn Hatfield Week in Review looks back at the past seven days in our area, including the four Labour candidates who are hoping to challenge Grant Shapps at the next election.

Wagamama news

It's been quite the week in the world of Wagamama.

On Monday, their new restaurant opened in The Galleria in Hatfield, with the Welwyn Hatfield Times getting an exclusive look inside before opening day.

Then, on Thursday, The Restuarant Group, that owns Wagamama, Frankie and Benny's and Chiquito, announced that they would be closing 35 restaurants, in an effort to boost finances, following mounting losses in 2022.

Thankfully for Hatfield residents and Waga fans, the Group are planning to open at least five Wagamama sites per year for the next three years, as well as boosting its international presence.

Labour to choose Grant Shapps challenger

Ahead of Labour members deciding their challenger to take on Grant Shapps for the Welwyn Hatfield MP seat, the four shortlisted candidates have been making a final push to secure votes.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Julian Vaughan.Julian Vaughan. (Image: Julian Vaughan)

The Welwyn Hatfield Times spoke to every candidate about their campaign.

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The final candidate will be revealed on Saturday at Welwyn Garden City's Ludwick Centre.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Stuart Brady.Stuart Brady. (Image: Stuart Brady)

Rare bird spotted

For the first time in 15 years, are rare bird has been spotted in Hertfordshire.

A Little Bunting was recently recorded at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s Stanborough Reedmarsh Nature Reserve in Welwyn Garden City.

It is the first time the scarce visitor from Russia has been recorded in Hertfordshire since 2007, when it was spotted at Amwell, near Ware.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Little Bunting.Little Bunting. (Image: Keith Dean)

Local bird ringer, Keith Dean, who discovered the bird, said: "Whilst carrying out one of my regular ringing sessions at Stanborough Reedmarsh, I was very pleasantly surprised to find a little bunting in the mist net that I had put up as part of an ongoing study targeting over-wintering reed buntings at the reedmarsh."