Demolition starts of former shopping parade in Hatfield

Workmen have begun bulldozing the dated block on the northern edge of Salisbury Square as part of the wider regeneration of the area.

Demolition of the Salisbury Square shopping parade in Old Hatfield. (Image: Alan Davies)

Fencing had been erected around the parade and part of the Salisbury Square car park last year, ahead of the first phase of the works — the demolition of the existing parade by C Jackson and Sons.

The shopping parade, built in the early 1970s and in a “state of decay”, was once home to a barbers, a Costcutter convenience store, a couple of takeaways — a Chinese eatery and an Indian — and a launderette.

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The shopping parade being demolished in Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield. (Image: Alan Davies)

Planning permission was granted to Gascoyne Estates by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in December 2022 for a revised scheme to demolish the former shopping parade and redevelop the square.

The old building and neighbouring car park will be replaced with five terrace houses similar in design to the ones already built opposite in Arm and Sword Lane, along with retail and commercial space, as part of Gascoyne Estates' plans to revitalise the area.

How the new look Salisbury Square will look. (Image: Gascoyne Estates / Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

Three apartments will feature above the new retail and commercial building and there will be improved areas for car parking.

The new workspace, retail and residential units will sit across the main road from Hatfield Railway Station, near The Great Northern pub, and less than 500m from the Marquess of Salisbury’s historic home – Hatfield House.

CGI of the new houses looking from Arm and Sword Lane. (Image: Gascoyne Estates / Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

A notice board from Gascoyne Estates in Salisbury Square states: "The redevelopment will see a replacement of the 1970s parade with a new building providing a mix of retail and commercial accommodation suitable for modern requirements.

"This building will also provide three new apartments and be complemented by improvements to the public realm and car park.

"A new terrace of five houses which mirror the existing townhouses on Arm and Sword Lane will complete the development."

Part of the block being demolished in Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield. (Image: Alan Davies)

Part of the block being demolished in Old Hatfield, as seen from the Salisbury Square car park. (Image: Alan Davies)

The block being demolished in Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield. (Image: Alan Davies)

It adds: "Once complete both the commercial and residential properties will be available to rent from Gascoyne Estates." 

Gascoyne Estates' website says of Salisbury Square: "The regeneration of the historic centre of Old Hatfield has been a challenging undertaking.

We are committed to mixed-use development, ensuring a thriving community at all times of day. The scheme will include retail, commercial and residential space, and be housed in a design which complements the charming surrounding area."

 

The refurbished York House in Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield. (Image: Alan Davies)

Salisbury Square is currently home to Sustain Coffee, Brows by Jordan, and New Horizon CrossFit in the already renovated York House, which is also the head office of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

The other side of Salisbury Square includes award-winning Indian restaurant Taste of India, Falcons DELI, and the Noodle King Hatfield Chinese takeaway.

Following the Old Hatfield Charrette in 2008, the town's railway station has also been transformed and a new station car park built.

Three pubs are within close proximity of Salisbury Square – The Great Northern, which backs on to the Salisbury Square car park, the Horse and Groom and The Eight Bells.