Entrance into Harvey Centre. Harlow. September 01, 2010. Photograph by Michael Boyton.

Shoppers in Harlow have been reassured that the Harvey Centre will continue to trade as normal, despite its owners going into administration.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

SHOPPERS in Harlow have been reassured that the Harvey Centre will continue to trade as normal, despite its owners going into administration.

Malcolm Shierson, Daniel Smith and Martin Ellis, partners at Grant Thornton UK LLP, were appointed joint administrators of Sapphire Retail Fund Limited, together with a number of its subsidiaries, last Wednesday.

As well, as the Harlow shopping complex, Sapphire and its subsidiaries also control two other centres in Burnley and Cardiff.

Mr Shierson, of Grant Thornton, commented: “All three shopping centres will continue to trade normally. Although each has generally traded satisfactorily in relation to regional and national trends, valuations for shopping centres generally remain under pressure and Sapphire is no exception to this.”

The shopping centres are managed by national agencies and this situation will continue to be the case.

Harlow Council has moved to reassure shoppers following the news. Cllr Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “Clearly this is a very disappointing development and the Council is trying to find out what the Administrator will be seeking to do. What we can say is that Harlow has been viewed very positively by potential investors identifying the town as a key place for investment.

“The Harvey Centre will continue to trade. We will continue to work with whomever the new owner of the centre will be to seek to ensure that both the Harvey Centre and the rest of the town centre are regenerated as well as safeguard and promote the interests of Harlow. The Council will be watching developments closely in the next few weeks.”