Harlow Council has announced the successful conclusion of a landmark agreement that will expand the current regeneration of the Town Centre – with work set to commence before Christmas this year.
The site, which stretches from Little Walk adjacent to Primark, through Market Square and around the former Odeon cinema, has remained dormant for years despite repeated assurances of regeneration from its private owners.
Its dereliction has stood in stark contrast to Harlow Council’s ambitions of a town undergoing wider transformation and sitting at the centre of the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town development.
Earlier this year, Harlow Council made a public commitment to intervene directly, pledging to deliver meaningful change.
And that pledge has now moved forward as a formal collaboration agreement, secured after months of complex negotiations and at no cost to the taxpayer.
Preparatory works are expected to begin imminently, with hoardings due to be erected within weeks—signalling the visible start of a regeneration programme that aims to restore the heart of Harlow’s Town Centre.
Speaking on the announcement, the Leader of Harlow Council and Chair of the HGGT Joint Committee, Cllr Dan Swords, said: “This part of our Town Centre has, for too long, been a symbol of stagnation.
“Earlier this year, we made a bold decision to take matters into our own hands—and today, we’ve delivered on that promise.
“This agreement is the product of determination, detailed planning, and exceptional professionalism.
“It demonstrates what can be achieved when ambition is matched by action, and when failure is simply not an option.
“This is not rhetoric—it is real, visible progress. Residents will see the transformation begin within weeks. This is what Building Harlow’s Future truly means: confronting difficult challenges, delivering tangible results, and restoring civic pride.”
The regeneration of the former Strawberry Star site forms part of a broader programme of urban renewal being led by the Council, which includes the new transport interchange and bus station, improvements to Broad Walk and Market Square, and the development of the Playhouse Quarter.
With construction activity now imminent, the Council anticipates that residents will soon witness a wave of revitalisation across the town centre—bringing renewed energy, opportunity, and investment to Harlow.
Cllr Swords added: “This deal didn’t happen by chance. It required skill, dedication, and a relentless focus on putting Harlow first.
“We said we would step in where others had failed—and we have. This is another major step in rebuilding our town centre and restoring pride in our community.
“Because this is what it means to Build Harlow’s Future.”
