Harlow Council is set to agree the purchase of two major town centre sites as part of its mission to rebuild our town. The acquisitions of 6-20 The Rows and Rothwell House will give the council full control of the buildings around Market Square and the West Gate area.
This move will end decades of fragmented land ownership and allow the council to regenerate the entire town centre. With these sites under council ownership, plans can move forward to fully transform Market Square into a vibrant destination with new leisure, hospitality, and night life.
Work on the wider transformation of Market Square is also progressing fast. Construction on the main square begins next week, work to renew Market House is already underway, and an announcement on Adams House is expected shortly as the council accelerates its town centre renewal programme. The regeneration of The Rows means that all sides of Market Square, and the square itself, will be transformed in 2026.
Market Square is just one phase of the complete rebuilding of the town centre. The transformation of Broad Walk is nearing completion, and major works in the Playhouse Quarter, Bus Station, and the former Strawberry Star site are underway.
Rothwell House will also play a key role in revitalising West Square and supporting redevelopment of the former Odeon and Strawberry Star sites.
These new acquisitions follow the council’s recent purchases of the Harvey Centre, Adams House, Market House and Terminus House, as well as its agreement to redevelopment of the former Strawberry Star site – all of which have enabled the regeneration.
Announcing the purchases, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“We’re delivering the biggest regeneration programme of any district council in the UK and these acquisitions – just like our others – are the next bold step in that plan. This is about taking back control of our town centre’s future. For far too long, regeneration has been stalled by fragmented ownership, delay, and neglect. Because we have restored a strong and secure financial position, we can now act with real purpose.
“By acquiring The Rows and Rothwell House – just as we have with Terminus House, Market House, Adams House and the Harvey Centre - we can deliver the full, whole-town regeneration Harlow has been denied for decades – transforming every corner of our town centre.
“This is how we turn promise into progress and rebuild our town centre in its entirety: coherent, ambitious, and driven by a clear plan. A vibrant, modern, thriving heart of Harlow is no longer an aspiration – it is exactly what we are getting on and delivering. This is another major step forward in our mission to ‘rebuild our town’ as we Build Harlow’s Future.”
The proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 17 December 2025, with a recommendation to Full Council on 18 December 2025.