Driving Centre concerned for future in Harlow as Marks and Spencer set to move in
Business / Sun 17th May 2026 at 08:43am
HERTS Ability, a charity that supports people who need extra help with driving and transport, has
expanded its services across the South East to meet rising demand.
More people are seeking advice on driving, returning to the road, and staying independent. In
response, the charity has increased capacity and opened new locations to improve access for local
communities.
Most recently, a new site has opened in Leatherhead. This was set up quickly after a loss of local
provision, with a full team now in place. The site is already supporting clients each week and will help
reduce waiting times across Surrey and surrounding areas.
Sean Lawrence, Chief Executive of Herts Ability, said: “Our priority was to make sure people were not left without a service. The team worked quickly to get Leatherhead up and running, and we are already seeing the benefit for local clients.”
Alongside this growth, the charity is facing a serious challenge at its Harlow site (off Edinburgh Way).
The current location includes a rare off road assessment area, which allows people to build confidence in a safe and controlled space before driving on public roads.
The site is now under threat due to planned redevelopment, and there is no direct replacement
available locally.
Sean added: “The Harlow site is a vital part of what we do. It gives people a safe starting point and supports those with more complex needs. Losing it would have a direct impact on the people who rely on our service.”
The charity is working with local partners to explore options, but suitable space is limited.
Herts Ability is now asking for support from the local community. Any information about suitable sites or space in the Harlow area, particularly those that could support a safe off road assessment area, would be
welcomed.
The charity is also looking to strengthen its Board and would welcome interest from people who may
wish to join as Trustees.
The charity continues to plan further expansion to meet demand, including new services in North
London and Aylesbury.
https://www.hertsability.org.uk/
KBN17
2026-05-17 10:19:40
I hope they manage to find a new home. It’s a great shame to lose such a valuable asset when their is so much other available retail space available.
Sarah Woodward
2026-05-17 10:58:42
I agree we have enough retail spaces that are empty. I hope Harlow Council find a suitable space for you to continue the support that you give to keep our roads safe.
Stuart J
2026-05-17 15:23:52
I understood that the old driving centre closed sometime ago. Does it mean that this group has since took it over, but only on a short term lease from the Council, who are the Landlords. There are a few suitable sites for them to transfer to in Harlow, but probably the rent will be far too expensive.
Brenda Joyce Elliott
2026-05-17 15:40:22
They what there own space with no shops nearbuy done same in m/S Clacton why they did move into the mother care .
Stuart J
2026-05-17 16:55:09
Brenda, the Mothercare Store wouldn’t be nowhere near large enough to accommodate the size of store that M&S requires. They also wanted a 350 dedicated car parking space, which doesn’t exist outside that store.
Jeff
2026-05-17 18:48:25
Cardrome in Romford operate a 12 acre private road set up with traffic lights and roundabout etc. Used to take my boys there years ago well before they were 17 and spent ages teaching them road awareness and also loads of fun as they were well excited about driving..Used to be £12 for all day in your own vehicle.Probably loads more now.. https://drivecardrome.com/
Seamus
2026-05-17 19:33:20
I would have thought M&S could have taken the old Tesco store on the ground floor by the multi story, which has 731 car parking spaces, access for hgv's, existing bus links and more than enough floor space for a retailer such as M&S which would help rebuild Harlow's town centre. Rhis would reduce projected traffic on Edinburgh Way and leave the training centre free to help Harlow's Community or is community still a dirty word?
AB
2026-05-17 19:57:31
The bluebell wood to the rear of the site must not be destroyed. There are plenty of redundant light industrial buildings to demolish and replace with updated premises.
Stuart J
2026-05-18 10:34:08
Seamus. The ground floor of Tesco, is nowhere large enough for the requirements of M&S. That’s the reason that both Sainsburys and Tesco’s moved out of the Harvey Centre into their own dedicated stores. And looking at the artist impression of the proposed new store, they want that size of building over 2 floors. Similar to their store at the Stevenage. AB The Council has given assurances that the protected wood at the rear of the development wouldn’t be damaged. One of the conditions that M&S required, was that they would be the freeholders of the site. As the Council owned this site, that condition was met. That wouldn’t be the case with these empty commercial units, as they are all owned by private Landlords, who would be very unlikely to sell them the freehold. Also they are just too far away from the Town Centre.
Seamus
2026-05-18 13:55:22
Hi Stuart, if the town centre store was not big enough for Tesco, why did they close it down and move into an old coffee shop and set up an tesco express? " . "As the Council owned this site, that condition was met." It would not be unreasonable to suggest then that council only approves plans where it can sell council land to developers and other projects might be refused? If I may also on your last comment, perhaps seek some clarity? The vacant tesco store "Also they are just too far away from the Town Centre." and the proposed M&S on Edinburgh Way isn't? Genuinely just seeking clarifification. Lastly as you mentioned multiple alternative sites are "all owned by private Landlords" is that something you know to be true and if so how and it not known, then could you clarify please? The councillors forget they act on our behalf and NOT, we do as they tell us. They are selling land that belongs to us and the Councillors are guardians on our behalf. The impression being given is, we will sell what we want, when we want and will subvert any other options and planning procedures. Is it too much to ask, where is the line?
Adam
2026-05-18 14:26:13
Seamun there is more to commercial space than 4 walls and a roof. Storage, temperature control, environmental monitoring. The Harvey centre and our retail parks were built decades ago. They are not up to modern standards.
Seamus
2026-05-18 16:38:46
Im sure there is Adam but unless your'e suggesting the Harvey centre be pulled down then it would appear whilst not new, they are more than capable in carrying out the role that M&S were searching for. Using your analogy, as soon as M&S is built on the Edinburgh Way site, within 12 months, it would not be a new site and upto the latest modern standards given how often they change..apparently. Also am I right in thinking that Harlow council purchased the Harvey centre for £21 million in 2022 ?
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