New office complex heralds new era

Demolishing a 1960’s building near the heart of the Garden City’s Town Centre, heralds a new era for one of the area’s top housing associations.

Work on demolishing the former Hideout Club at the bottom of Station Road in Letchworth Garden City, begins in May and will be replaced by new headquarters for the Howard Cottage Housing Association, who will be moving, hopefully within the next 12 months, from its current offices further up Station Road.

Part of the scheme includes the addition of two new bungalows and the cottages at the back will be refurbished.

Howard Cottage was established in 1911 by Ebenezer Howard – the father of the Garden City Movement - and has occupied various offices in the town. Association Chairman Sarah Wren, said: “We have outgrown the present offices,
and was very mindful that ‘location, location, location’ is so important these days, so our new office complex had to be easily accessible. “

She added: “We would like to thank the Heritage Foundation in helping us find the right premises which we are confident will offer better facilities for customers and contribute to enhanced efficiencies and services effectiveness, which already have reached a high satisfaction level.

“While the works are being carried out, we intend to keep disruption to business to a minimum after the settling in period.

“With less than three years to our Centenary, there couldn’t be a better time for Howard Cottage to look back with pride on our achievements, but also very much look to the future - and the new offices will provide a real ‘kick-start’ to an exciting new era for everyone concerned.”