£500,000 facelift

A special landmark in the world’s first Garden City has just received a £500,000 makeover!

In 1996, the Heritage Foundation bought the popular indoor shopping precinct The Arcade in the heart of the town centre and undertook a major refurbishment the following year, which included a new roof, repainting, a new entrance out to The Wynd and improved signage.

Now, some 13 years on and with The Arcade having a direct link to the proposed new Wynd re-development, the facelift was completed this week.

Consultants Design Interface produced a scheme with the specific aim of retaining the traditional charm of The Arcade, but incorporating a fresh, inviting look for both retailers and shoppers.

The refurbishment included;

• improving the visibility of The Arcade, with canopies at Leys Avenue and Station Road.
• incorporating seating and planting
• introducing a new lighting scheme
• a new decorative colour palette
• improving signage
• Replacing the existing concrete paving with tiles.

Stuart Kenny, the Heritage Foundation’s Director General, said: “I am delighted with the improvement to The Arcade following the refurbishment. My thanks got to the retailers who we consulted on our proposals and who have been hugely supportive throughout.”

• On Friday, November 20, Mr Kenny and Hugh Harper, until recently the Letchworth Town Centre Partnership Chairman, who helped plan the changes to The Arcade, both in 1996 and with the new refurbishment, will jointly officially open the ‘new’ Arcade by placing a landmark plaque, at the Leys Avenue entrance, at 5pm.