Welwyn Garden City's Howard Centre is set for a new lease of life, with a host of "exciting" new stores set to open this year.

Concerns had been raised about the future of the shopping centre following the departure of big retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Next and Dorothy Perkins, but discussions are taking place with a number of businesses about taking over vacant units.

One confirmed arrival at the Howard Centre is a vintage clothes store, with spokeswoman telling the Welwyn Hatfield Times: "The Howard Centre is pleased to be able to bring new occupiers to the centre.

"The first store to open its doors in March will be selling vintage clothes in the former Dorothy Perkins store on the ground floor of the shopping centre. 

"Since Christmas, there has been a surge in demand for space at The Howard Centre and we are currently in discussion with a variety of users, including leisure, food and beverage as well as traditional fashion operators."

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Talks are also taking place about over the unit formerly occupied by M&S, which closed its Howard Centre store back in April last year.

While M&S are still within their ownership of the unit, a Howard Centre spokeswoman confirmed they are "working closely with them to find solutions" for the space and hope to make an announcement in the "not-to-distant future".

"Whilst the M&S store is still in their ownership we are working closely with them to find solutions for the use of the space for the benefit of the town centre," she said.

READ MORE: What is the future for The Howard Centre?

"The potential for this space is exciting and we hope to be able to announce something in the not-too-distant future.

"This broad interest reflects Welwyn Garden City’s continually evolving and growing demographic owing to an increased and positive number of residential developments within the town."

The news of new businesses arriving in Welwyn Garden City comes after Burger King took over the former Bill's unit in Howardsgate earlier this month.