News and Articles of Interest

Oaklands College Forum 
Are you redundant? Facing Redundancy? Unemployed ?
Click below to see a programme being offered by Oaklands College to help to get your career back on track.

Oaklands Executive Forum

Article Published in Welwyn Hatfield Times June 2009

Dear Sirs,

Town Centre Standards

It is our belief that  Welwyn Garden City is the finest garden city in the world. The Welwyn Hatfield Chamber of Commerce is therefore concerned about any threats to our town that might detract from its unique appeal. We welcome the exciting proposals for the new landmark Sainsbury's. We do not welcome the unplanned arbitrary and almost fluorescent colouring of the new Parkway Bar. The precedent was possibly the excessive branding of Halfords in Howardsgate with its outstanding near luminous orange facia banner. Would it be helpful if there was a bit more guidance, with teeth, from our Council when it comes to design, decoration and planning matters in the town centres?

We were interested in the suggestion from the Welwyn Garden City Society that some rules would ultimately enhance the environment.  As a Chamber we are very keen that John Lewis and the Howard Centre continue to prosper. And with them all other traders in the town centres.

Only by ensuring that WGC and Hatfield offer a particular and special experience will we thrive. The watering down of the special historic garden city appeal is a danger to the prosperity of this town.

Yours

Mark Boringdon

Chairman - Welwyn Hatfield Chamber of Commerce