SpotlightOn
A view of Fairlands Valley Park near Stevenage, Hertfordshire
The Joyride sculpture by Franta Belsky, showing a mother and child, stands in Stevenage town centre close to the clock tower The retail outlook in Stevenage is also looking more positive with fashion retailer H&M recently opening a new store the town. Bon Marche is also opening a new store in Stevenage soon. Crowds of people queued up for the official opening of H&M’s Stevenage branch and it is hoped the new store, based in the town’s Westgate Shopping Centre, will be the catalyst that helps revitalise the town centre. The H&M store has created about 20 new jobs and occupies a sales area of about 1,500 square metres spread over two floors, offering collections for women, men, teens and children.
Knebworth House near Stevenage
Stevenage compares very favourably to other towns with a current retail vacancy rate of only 6.4% for the Old and New Towns combined, compared to the national average of 13.9%. The Council recognises the need for further growth and development and is currently working with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise
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