Introduction

Cllr Ron Tindall, Leader, Dacorum Borough Council

The Council is committed to working with its partners and communities across Hemel Hempstead to bring the buzz back to our town centre. We will be working hard to attract investors to the town and we will also consider the Council’s role in future development opportunities. Our first step is to set out our vision and then set to work, delivering it in partnership.

The re-imagining of our town centre is absolutely essential to us ‘growing a fresh new future’ for Hemel Hempstead. Our vision is to transform Hemel Hempstead Town Centre into a vibrant and busy leisure and cultural quarter with a mix of uses and activities including workspaces, restaurants, bars, cultural facilities, retail and a range of quality new housing. All taking advantage of the high quality parks, gardens and the River Gade in close proximity. Our town centre should be the central heart of the town, connecting our important destinations, including Maylands Business Park, our existing and future neighbourhood centres, train stations, leisure and shopping areas. Our vision includes promoting ambitious and high quality development establishing the town centre as a desirable place to live, work and visit.

Claire Hamilton, Chief Executive, Dacorum Borough Council

The Council operates a “One team” approach to the delivery of Council services which ensures that our neighbourhoods are well maintained and that our local community, businesses and future investors are properly supported. We are working hard to reposition Hemel Hempstead. Along with our local business community and our residents, we are enhancing civic pride and raising the level of ambition for the Town Centre. The Council is well and truly open for business and is keen to explore the ‘art of the possible’ to secure the brightest future for Hemel Hempstead. We have a professional and positive delivery team in place and we welcome enquiries and conversations about investment in the Town Centre. All our partners are aligned to this Town Centre Vision and we are all focussed on working in partnership to realise our ambition and attract investment.

Bob Lane, Independent Chair, Hemel Place Board

Launched in November 2021, the Hemel Place Board is a partnership of key stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors, all of which have a strong presence in Hemel Hempstead and a passion to promote and drive change to ensure the future success of the town. Importantly, it has an independent chair.

The Board provides strategic direction for the town’s growth and prosperity activities, including, Hemel Garden Communities, a programme delivering 11,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs by 2050, Herts Innovation Quarter, the town’s Enterprise Zone and Hemel Hempstead Business Improvement District. This is about being place-based and widening place leadership. It is very different from the traditional “Council knows best” approach.