Feelgood factor rules as Highfield traders say life’s pretty good
MCHG 12-766 Vox pop on Bellgate Shops, Hemel Hempstead. Latha Balamurali.
A neighbourhood centre in Hemel Hempstead has a few problems but overall traders say things seem pretty good.
The Bellgate centre, off Fletcher Way and Cambrian Way, is one of the smaller neighbourhood centres in town.
There are nine trading units below a block of flats, with a pub and a garage opposite and a community centre close by.
The units are all occupied, by a variety of businesses, including a DIY and trade supplier, a fish and chip shop and a charity shop.
While Business Eye was in the area a group of young people gathered on the pavement around a revving mini motorbike, one shouting obscenities. They moved on after a few minutes.
Mrs Latha Balamurali has run Tucks and Tonic for the last three years. She said she’d like to see more CCTV cameras to record incidents.
“We can’t afford to pay for it ourselves,” she said. But she said police, when they were needed, did turn up and help.
Steve Atkins, who has managed Clifford Salons since May, said business was good in the area, with great customers and good business. The salon has been around for about 50 years.
Mr Atkins is really positive about the centre, adding: “I see the council clearing up litter early in the morning and all the business units are full. They’ve done a lot to bring the place up.”
Sandra Austin has been running Highfield Community Centre on behalf of the charity the Highfield Community Association, since 2001.
The centre doesn’t receive council funding and makes its income from hall hiring fees and special events, like the Elvis Night coming up on September 29. But she said a main issue for the centre is getting its message out.
She said: “People do not tend to take much notice of what’s in front of them!”The centre runs an internet and computer training cafe twice a week.
For more information on activities on the centre visit www.highfieldcommunitycentre.co.uk
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
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