HARLOW Council secures landmark deal to “finally transform” neglected Strawberry Star site – with work starting before Christmas claims Harlow Council.

A spokesperson said: “For too long, one of the most prominent parts of Harlow town centre – from the old Little Walk, next to Primark down to Market Square, around the old Odeon and behind the Harvey Centre – has stood empty, neglected, and forgotten.

Despite repeated promises of regeneration by the private landowner, the Strawberry Star development failed to deliver the transformation our community deserved.

Back in March, Harlow Council made a bold commitment: to step in, tackle the problem head-on, and get things moving.

Today, that promise has become reality.

After complex negotiations and hard work, Harlow Council has now secured a landmark deal and collaboration partnership that will finally transform this long-stalled site – and crucially, at no cost to the taxpayer.

“Work is due to start before Christmas, with hoardings going up within weeks which will mark the visible start of regeneration works that will deliver a transformed heart of the town centre”.

Commenting on the major deal, Council Leader, Dan Swords said:

“For too long, this part of our town centre has been a blight on Harlow. That’s why we took bold action earlier this year – to tackle the problem head-on and deliver for our town.

“This deal is the result of sheer determination, detailed work, and incredible skill from everyone involved. It shows what can be achieved when you combine ambition with action and when a council refuses to accept failure as an option.

“I’m proud to say we’ve delivered on our promise. This is real progress, not just words – but the transformation of this area – action that people will see with their own eyes within months.

“This is what Building Harlow’s Future means: taking on tough challenges, delivering results, and restoring pride in our town.”

This achievement will contribute to the rebuilding of Harlow’s town centre – alongside the council’s ambitious programme of regeneration from the new bus station and transport hub to Broad Walk, Market Square to the Playhouse Quarter.

With construction activity due to begin before Christmas, residents will soon see visible progress across every corner of the town centre – breathing life, opportunity, and energy back into Harlow.

“This deal didn’t happen by chance,” Cllr Swords added. “It’s taken dedication, professionalism, and skill to untangle a complex situation and deliver a solution that puts Harlow first.

“We said we’d step in and deliver where others failed – and that’s exactly what we’ve done. This is the next step in rebuilding our town centre and our community’s pride. Because this is what it means to Build Harlow’s Future.”