Harlequin Shopping Centre

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = The Harlequin Centre


caption = Entrance to The Harlequin
architect = Chapman Taylor Partners
location = Watford, UK
opening_date = June 1992
developer = Capital Shopping Centres
manager = Michael Stevens
owner = (93%) Capital Shopping Centres, (7%) Watford Borough Council
number_of_stores = Over 145
floor_area = 67,500 sq m
floors = 7 (inc. Parking)
parking = 2050 + 3000 in Watford
website = http://www.theharlequin.uk.com

The Harlequin Centre in Watford is the biggest shopping centre in Hertfordshire, England. It is run by Capital Shopping Centres and is visited by over 17 million customers each year. It opened officially in 1992.

It was built as a rival to Brent Cross. It is in the centre of the town and includes John Lewis, bhs, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Next and most other high street names. The centre is integrated with the town, and as part of its development, listed high street buildings were preserved and brought back into use and Queen’s Road was maintained as a cross route through the town.

Design

In the Harlequin Centre the Malls are symmetrical with clean curves. It is bright and cool and has ornaments on the walls and plants near the roof. On the third floor there is an area used for exhibitions of local art. The glass roofs fill the Centre with light without need for artificial lighting.

History

The 1962 estimate was £3,000,000 to include a ten-pin bowling alley and 130 flats. It was £130,000,000 when the plans were presented in 1986. To clear the way for Harlequin, the Sainsbury’s store in Queens Road needed re-siting; the Odeon cinema in the High Street was bought and demolished (1983), space at its rear being needed for the store’s warehouse. By 1992 a sub-regional shopping centre, The Harlequin Centre, caused most of the local high street shops to go out of business.

Councillors wanted a swimming element in the complex ‘to retain life in the evenings’ but the developers decided that swimming and shopping would not mix. The Council settled for building Watford Springs, a swimming/leisure centre built on the old Benskin’s Brewery site in the High Street. It lasted eleven years and was knocked down, costing around £12,000,000 total.

Talks with the council to regenerate the neighbouring Charter Place site are moving forward swiftly after a planning brief was published. [ [http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/harlequin/developments.html Capital Shopping Centres Developments] ]

Transport

Rail

The centre is 10 minutes from Watford Junction (National Rail and London Overground services) and a couple of minutes from Watford High Street station (London Overground Services).

Bus

There are many bus stops in the town centre which serve the Harlequin Centre.

Road

Watford Ring Road circles the shopping centre providing access for cars to the car parks.

Bike

There are many cycle paths in Watford, and some go through the town. There are bike sheds in the town centre.

References

External links

* [http://www.theharlequin.uk.com/ Harlequin Website]
* [http://www.watford-history.co.uk/mars1harlequin.html#13 Before The Harlequin] Dead link|date=May 2008