Stannifer - Retail Development - Harlow, Harvey Centre

Date: 07 May 2003

Exciting proposals for the redevelopment of the central shopping area in Harlow, Essex, which will dramatically improve shopping facilities in the town, have been submitted to planners at Harlow District Council.

Stannifer, the Stratford-upon-Avon-based investment and development group, submitted a planning application on behalf of the Sapphire consortium (with Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking and South African investment company Corovest) which owns the 51, 095 sq m (550,000 sq ft) Harvey Centre. The shopping centre accounts for nearly three-quarters of Harlow’s central retail floorspace.

Stannifer plans to refurbish and extend the existing Harvey Centre adding a further 23,225 sq m (250,000 sq ft) of prime retail space, including a full range new department store. The development will provide larger, open floorplates, which meet the requirements of modern retailers, as well as delivering long overdue investment in the 1980s-built development.

The existing part of the Harvey Centre will also be refurbished and reconfigured to provide up-to-date accommodation for high street retailers.

Stannifer is already in discussion with a significant number of retailers new to Harlow town centre and will shortly announce a letting to a major department store operator.

Ron Barrott, chief executive of Stannifer, commented: “Our plans for the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Harvey Centre have met an enthusiastic response from Harlow District Council and retailers alike, all of who recognise the potential of Harlow’s town centre to develop as a regional shopping hub.”

“As well as providing opportunities to bring new business to Harlow and to increase the range of retail choice available to the local catchment population, we believe that the improvements contained in this planning application will make a positive and long-lasting contribution to the town’s urban fabric.”

The letting agent for the Harvey Centre is King Sturge

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