The rebuilding of Harlow town centre is moving full steam ahead. With contracts now signed, the transformation of Market Square is ready to begin this October – a bold step in Building Harlow’s Future and breathing new life into the heart of the town.
Harlow Council has appointed Hill Partnerships Ltd to deliver a striking redevelopment, backed by £23.7 million from the Government’s Towns Fund. The plans include a vibrant hub for leisure, hospitality, and nightlife – with stylish bars and restaurants, new shops, high-quality homes, a stunning water feature, an open-air market, and inviting outdoor dining. This will be a place where people meet, relax, and celebrate – day and night.
The council now owns Market House and Adams House, home to the much-loved Market Square clock. Under local control for the first time in decades, the clock will be lovingly restored and given pride of place in the new design – a nod to Harlow’s heritage at the heart of its future.
Construction will start in October and finish in Spring 2026 – but this is just one chapter in a much bigger story. Work is also set to begin at the Bus Station this month and Playhouse Square next month, creating a modern, welcoming gateway for visitors and a new cultural quarter for residents. Together, these projects join the wider programme of town centre regeneration – from Broad Walk to East Gate – transforming Harlow into a thriving, attractive, and exciting place to live, work, and visit.
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“We are rebuilding our town - not with a lick of paint or new benches, but the biggest regeneration programme of any district council in the country.
“With the bus station starting this month, the Playhouse Quarter next month and the redevelopment of Market Square in October - these are no longer just promises, but the reality of us delivering this once in a generation rebuilding of the town centre.
“And these are not isolated projects, they are the building blocks of Harlow’s future. We are creating a vibrant, safe, and thriving town centre that will once again be the beating heart of our community.
“This is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about restoring pride, attracting investment, creating jobs, and giving our residents and visitors a place they love to spend time in. When the construction starts and the changes take shape, people will see that this is not a dream or a distant plan – it’s happening now.
“We are bringing back the buzz, boosting our economy, and building a town centre that all residents - young or old - can be proud of.”
With the plans moving from paper to reality, Building Harlow’s Future is no longer a promise – it’s a transformation that has begun.