THE demolition of Occasio House is in the second and final phase as the main block began to be pulled down this week. The project is all part of Harlow Council’s major rebuild of the town centre and the priority to rebuild our town.

Contractors DSL have already demolished the smaller four-storey block and are progressing at pace on the main block. The demolition is currently ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Once completed the way will be clear for the delivery of a £20m Arts and Cultural Quarter scheme which will include:

• A new live performance venue
• Upgrades to the Playhouse
• New pedestrian focused and engaging public square for events, outdoor performances, cinema, and outdoor dining
• Contemporary bar and café
• Artist and maker studio spaces
• High-quality residential apartments
• Flexible studios for creative and performing arts, rehearsal space, events, smaller and outdoor performances, and community uses
• Associated spaces for literary arts, spoken word, education events and visiting exhibitions and installations
• Green pocket park with natural play installations
• Accessibility provisions including disabled parking and accessibly designed spaces
• Upgraded and secure underpass beneath Haydens Road

Councillor Dan Swords, leader of Harlow Council, said:

“We’re now in the final phase of demolishing Occasio House, and have been delivering at speed to clear this disused building which has blighted the town centre for too long. The site has been disused for over seven years and, with unsafe Grenfell-style cladding installed on the buildings, it was absolutely not economically viable to bring it back into use. The good news is that we are demolishing this building at pace to make way for our new £20million Arts and Cultural Quarter. 

“The new Arts and Cultural Quarter is just one phase of our plan to entirely regenerate the town centre as we deliver on our priority to rebuild our town.”