The Galleria: Hatfield’s shopping centre with ‘so much potential’ for families and young people with over 20 empty units
Hatfield is a historic Hertfordshire town with huge ambition – but residents are starting to become disappointed as they feel the town’s main shopping centre has fallen into a state of decline. Many Hatfield residents have revealed their dismay that the main shopping centre, The Galleria, is not being used to its full potential.
The Galleria – located on Comet Way – was previously a popular shopping outlet that attracted those from all over Hertfordshire as well as surrounding areas, after it first opened 1991. The shopping centre is uniquely position, as it is situated on top of the Hatfield Tunnel – which spans the A1 motorway – and it can be clearly observed by motorists using the motorway beneath it.
The town of Hatfield has a mix of both new and historic attractions, from the University of Hertfordshire to Hatfield House – offering much to love about the area. However, Hatfield’s main shopping centre – which frequently sees visitors on weekends – has slightly declined in recent times.
Over the last 25 years, visiting The Galleria would be a young person’s dream and a go-to place for families and their young ones. But in recent times, the colossal shopping complex has become a shell of its former self.
HertsLive visited The Galleria shopping centre in Hatfield[2] last week (Thursday, July 27), where we saw a colossal outlet filled with a mixed bag of shops. From popular franchises such as Costa Coffee and Caffè Nero, Sports Direct, and Clarks to camping stores Mountain Warehouse and Regatta, as well as both men and womenswear clothing shops.
The shopping centre has a respectable amount of shops, however The Galleria’s jungle-themed indoor play area ‘Get Wild’ is the main attraction and centre of the attention. According to LandSec – who took over the management of the complex – over 400,000 children have played in ‘Get Wild’, as the play park was seen brimming with families and their little ones – who seemed to largely bring the atmosphere to the shopping centre.
The jungle-themed play park ‘Get Wild’ sits in the centre of the ground floor in The Galleria
However, HertsLive counted more than 20 retail units that were either boarded up, not being used or looking like they were closed a long time ago. In total, 23 units were seen not in operation and could be made use of by potentially-interested business unit owners.
The shopping centre is suited to families enjoying a day out in Hatfield but, for teenagers and young individuals, there are other shopping centres elsewhere in Hertfordshire where residents could spend their hard-earned money.
The shopping centre with ‘so much potential’
Liela Munnelly, from Ellenbrook in Hatfield, lives less than a five-minute walk from The Galleria. She revealed there is “so much potential” for the shopping centre and believes that it could be turned into a “proper outlet precinct” like Bicester Village.
She said: “I live in Ellenbrook so in under a five minute walk I can be in the the Galleria, mainly for TK Maxx, M&S or the restaurants. There is so much potential there, personally I think it should be changed in to a proper outlet precinct like Bicester Village.
“Just think about all the people with money coming in to Hatfield looking for expensive cars along the Business Park. These showrooms keep opening, so there must be demand. They can car shop and then go over the road to designer clothes shop.
“If they put in some decent restaurants, they could have dinner there too. Some Hatfield people probably won’t agree as the shops will be unaffordable, but that would offer a huge help to the area.”
Over 20 units were either boarded up, not being used or closed in The Galleria
Nicole Levy, from Hertfordshire, took a harsher view on the shopping centre. She agreed with Liela that there is “so much potential” with The Galleria, but believes that more entertainment venues could be added if no suitable retail units want to make use of the empty units.
Nicole said: “There is no real reason to go to the Galleria but I am personally there all the time just for somewhere quiet to go. The previous attraction was Nike or possibly GAP, which have now both gone but there are no shops that have replaced it.
“The soft play is the reason many people go. I only go to walk around with my toddler when the weather is bad as it’s guaranteed to be quiet and nice to have a quick mooch. It’s such a shame as it has so much potential, easy parking and had the soft play which no other shopping centres have.”
‘Some more entertainment’ venues needed
Nicole believes the shopping centre is a “great place” for young children, as she would previously visit The Galleria in the winter to use the ice rink on the first floor. She believes that there needs to be “some more entertainment” for residents “if the shops aren’t going to move in”.
The Galleria formerly had a “swag arcade”, however this was shut down. A Wagamama restaurant recently opened in The Galleria[3], however there is already a franchisee in Stevenage and St Albans, meaning that it is not a destination people would travel out of their way to, according to Nicole.
Mae Metcalfe, who lives next door to The Galleria from Hatfield, believes that the shopping centre feels it is a “shame” that it is not being put to good use. Mae called for more high street names which she believes would reel in more customers who would mooch around other stores while visiting The Galleria.
“We need something there that will attract the customers and improve customer experiences, for example there are no clothing stores there for children, apart from choice and a very small section in M&S,” she said.
“We would like to see more. We also would like to see more high street names like Primark. The closest Primark is Stevenage and, if we had one in The Galleria, I guarantee that would bring in the customers who would then look in other shops too.
“Although there is a soft play area, we need something for older children to be able to do too. Something that will keep them entertained and away from trouble, like a youth centre or an arcade or bowling alley. The Galleria has so much potential it’s sad to see it so empty.”
A spokesperson for The Galleria said: “We’re always looking for ways to bring more variety to The Galleria and improve the experience of our guests. We recently welcomed Wagamama and Select Clothing to centre and are excited for Pure Gym to also join the line up next year. We’re working hard to bring even more brands to The Galleria, which we’ll be able to announce soon, so watch this space.”
References
- ^ Hertfordshire’s best garden centre: Have your say in our poll (www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk)
- ^ Hatfield (www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk)
- ^ Wagamama restaurant recently opened in The Galleria (www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk)