A report to be presented to Harlow Council’s cabinet on November 13 will highlight the Harvey Centre’s rising visitor numbers and robust financial performance.
The council bought the Harvey Centre, which opened in 1984, in 2022 to ensure its continued role in town centre shopping.
The centre, which has chains including Primark and Iceland, also has independent shops, a six-screen Cineworld cinema, restaurants, and a multi-storey car park.
The centre will soon see significant upgrades, including new escalators, and the car park will undergo structural improvements and a transformation of its façade.
Mr Swords added: “We are now investing millions into major upgrades to the Harvey Centre – attracting better shops, improving the experience for residents, and ensuring the centre plays a leading role in the regeneration of our town centre.
“The Harvey Centre’s success is about more than strong numbers – it’s about confidence.”
The report reveals more than 5.8 million people visited the centre last year, a 3.5 per cent rise from the previous year.
Over the past year, the centre’s over 30 lease events have generated more than £2 million in income, with more lease negotiations underway to improve the quality of the centre’s retail offerings, according to council figures.
In the first quarter of 2025/26, the centre’s financial return exceeded the business plan forecast by 46.2 per cent, while the total gross profit between the first quarter of 2024/25 and 2025/26 surpassed expectations, totalling more than £1.9 million.
Despite the national challenges facing the retail sector, the centre’s increased footfall has helped maintain high occupancy levels of 90 to 95 per cent, above the national average for shopping centres.
The centre’s surpluses are also supporting Harlow town centre’s wider regeneration.
Councillor Dan Swords, leader of Harlow Council, said: “This performance proves beyond doubt that purchasing the Harvey Centre was a sound and strategic investment for Harlow Council.
“It is generating millions more than forecast, has growing footfall and a very high occupancy rate – outperforming most shopping centres across the country.
“Every penny of that success is being reinvested to transform and regenerate our entire town centre through the biggest regeneration programme of any district council in the UK.”
