Councillors have agreed to buy a vacant building in Harlow town centre as part of its plans to regenerate the area.
The acquisition of derelict Market House was approved at a special council meeting on May 15 and follows the recent acquisition of Adams House, which, like Market House faces onto Market Square, which is undergoing a major upgrade.
A comprehensive redevelopment will see the square become a hub of leisure and hospitality, with bars, restaurants, outdoor dining, a street trading market space and a reinvigorated public square.
Cllr Russell Perrin told the meeting: “It’s absolutely essential that this part of the town is regenerated to try to bring that balance from one end of the town to the other end of the town, not just for the businesses that operate down there, but for the people who will be able to walk into our town and enjoy being in our town at different times of the day and night.”
Cllr Dan Swords, leader of Harlow Council, said in a statement: “We’re on a mission to rebuild our town, and that includes regenerating the whole town centre. The Market Square area has been derelict for far too long but it’s an area in which we’re taking significant action.
“We recently announced that we have bought Adams House, which contains the iconic clock face, and work is now under way to prepare its regeneration, and today I can announce that we’re also buying the Market House building to further that regeneration.
“This will mean the northern end of the town centre can be completely rebuilt as it’s in our ownership, with a future that will include bars, restaurants, clubs and more, making this an area residents want to socialise and enjoy with brilliant day time and evening offerings.”
Image (Google) shows Market House behind Market Square with Adams House to the right.
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