HAVING spent many hours at Staple Tye Shopping Centre in the last two years talking to shoppers, members of the Harlow Alliance Party (HAP) were struck by two things: the number of visitors who travel to Staple Tye from places as far away as Waltham Abbey, Ongar and Sawbridgeworth and the amount of litter which accumulates around the centre, with bins often seen overflowing with rubbish.

The council’s attempts to improve the image of Harlow does not extend to private land apparently, so the issue was taken up with the managing agents of the shopping centre by a HAP member and within a matter of weeks they agreed to install five extra bins.

Karen James, Harlow Alliance Candidate in May’s local elections in the Latton Bush and Stewards ward said: “Many people’s view of Harlow is shaped by what they see at Staple Tye. Hopefully the installation of these bins will help lift their impression of the town”.