A new partnership has been launched in an aim to give Hemel Hempstead a fresh start.
The Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Partnership (HHTCP) was officially launched in September at the Town Centre Bandstand, and hopes to result in improvements across the town.
The partnership has been formed by local businesses, community groups and the Dacorum Borough Council.
Councillor Stephen Holmes, portfolio holder for planning and regeneration and a partnership board member, said, “All the partners are so passionate about the continued success of Hemel Hempstead town centre and are really eager to put plans in place to safeguard it for the future.”
Vince Williams – Chair of the Town Centre Partnership and manager of the Marlowes Shopping Centre, said: “From improving safety, to encouraging more people into the town and further investment, the Partnership aims to create a prosperous and attractive town centre for residents to live, work, shop and spend their leisure time.”
Residents are being encouraged to sign up to the partnership’s newsletter, which will keep them informed of all new initiatives and events taking place.
The partnership will also run a website, which will aim to be the focal point for all activity in the town centre.
A huge drop was recorded in the number of visitors to Hemel Hempstead’s shopping areas in June. The combined figures for The Marlowes Shopping Centre and Riverside Shopping Centre was down by 7.5 per cent compared to a national drop of about one per cent. It is hoped the new partnership can improve these figures.