Breaking Taboos in Welwyn Garden City

REGULAR users of WGC train station may have noticed a new addition to the Howard Centre in recent weeks.

A new store, selling an array of clothes, curiosities and trinkets, has opened on the top floor of the shopping centre, next to the station entrance.

It’s called Taboo, and it’s a family-run venture by brothers Grant and Neil Pinney, and brother-in-law Jim Ward.

For a relatively small space, the store is adorned floor to ceiling with a variety of t-shirts, jumpers, blouses, wallets, mirrors, wood carvings, keyrings and statues.

“It’s all custom culture; everything’s a bit unique,” said Grant. “My brother makes all the mirrors, acrylic gifts and the wood plates, so each thing is only one or two of it’s kind.”

Grant said he felt there was room for a new independent retailer in WGC, selling the sort of things you might normally find in certain boutiques around North London.

“We thought we’d do something a bit different, and something that was local to WGC, rather than having to travel to Camden all the time.

“We’re not overpriced, and it brings a little bit of personality to WGC.”

Taboo is located in The Howard Centre, between The Kiosk and the entrance to WGC railway station.