East Herts Council to market Havers estate shops ‘within next few weeks’ – and says there’s interest in them from eight potential buyers

A shopping parade on the Havers estate in Bishop’s Stortford will go on the market “within the next few weeks”.

Cllr Carl Brittain, East Herts Council’s executive member for financial sustainability, said there was already interest in the Elizabeth Road site from eight potential purchasers.

He commented as a Save Havers Shops petition was presented to the authority, which owns the seven retail units and three flats, at its meeting on Wednesday (July 23).

More than 700 people called on the council to “protect local businesses”, with suggested measures including offering tax incentives and reducing rents.

The premises are to be sold off in the hope they will bring in £447,500 to “allow the council to reduce debt”. It will also cut the council’s ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

Residents, however, fear a new owner could redevelop the site for alternative uses.

Cllr Brittain recognised that selling the shops to a private owner “brings uncertainty, and we are often afraid of uncertainty”. He said: “This fear will hopefully turn out to be completely unjustified.

“We are currently working with our agent to agree marketing details, and the parade will be offered to the market within the next few weeks.

“Since the decision to sell the property was announced, we have been approached by eight different parties who have expressed an interest in buying the parade.

“I understand that all eight of these potential buyers are seeking to purchase the parade as an investment, looking to retain the tenants and relet the empty shops.

“None of the parties have indicated that they would be looking to demolish the property and redevelop the site, although of course they may decide to do so at a later date.

“However, the age and condition of the properties mean some kind of refurbishment is probably needed soon, which may have an impact on the businesses.”

Cllr Brittain said he was in “wholehearted agreement with the principal points” of the petition and that the council would “consider promoting community initiatives and supporting local shopping”.

The petition was presented by Labour’s Cllr David Jacobs, who represents Bishop’s Stortford Central ward. He said that he and Cllr Yvonne Estop, his party and ward colleague, “support the aims of the petition”.

“The petition makes a powerful and passionate case for local shopping parades and presents a number of suggestions as to how the council could help them,” said Cllr Jacobs.

“We do urge the administration to take the message of this petition to heart and do what they can to save our shops.”