Ten new lettings mark a fresh chapter for The Marlowes shopping centre in Hemel Hempstead

The Marlowes shopping centre in the heart of Hemel Hempstead has welcomed ten new businesses since its was sold in October 2025, and the new owners are pressing ahead with a wider transformation of the 360,000 sq ft site.  With further food, leisure and dining concepts already in the pipeline, the centre's pace of change is only set to continue.

The lettings follow Maritime Capital's acquisition of The Marlowes in October 2025, a deal that set the wheels in motion for a reshaping of the centre's offer. Rather than simply backfilling empty units, the strategy has focused on bringing in a broader spread of food, leisure, entertainment and specialist services to sit alongside the centre's established retailers, reflecting how town centres more generally have had to adapt as shopping habits change.

Tikka Nation, Esquires Coffee, Kayan Market and Wonky Wok have strengthened the food and drink line-up, giving visitors more choice for a bite to eat, some fresh produce or somewhere to meet - from a fresh fruit and veg market stop to another unique dining concept joining the mix.

We Do Mobility, Club Tan and Edinburgh Woollen Mill have expanded the range of specialist services and fashion available on site, while The Creative Collection brings something a little different: a personalised gifts and homeware shop founded by three friends, offering affordable, accessible products for families - including for those with additional needs - alongside an in-house photography studio.

On the leisure and entertainment side, Continue Arcade and Hemel Wargamers introduce two very different experiences aimed at drawing in families and younger visitors, from classic arcade gaming to tabletop and trading card gaming with in-store play tables and a regular events calendar. Between them, the ten arrivals span very different parts of the customer journey, from grabbing a coffee to spending a whole afternoon at the centre.

Vicki Workman, Business Manager at The Marlowes shopping centre, said: "It's fantastic to see the pace of change at The Marlowes, and the diversity of businesses we're welcoming. Each of our new arrivals brings something different, whether that's food and drink, leisure, entertainment or a specialist service, and together they're helping us create a much more rounded experience for our customers."

"We know people want more from their town centre than simply shopping, and we're responding to that - somewhere they can shop, eat, meet friends, enjoy leisure activities and access the services they need." continued Vicki.

Max Hunter, Director & Head of Investment at Maritime Capital, said: "When we acquired The Marlowes shopping centre, we saw a significant opportunity to build on the strengths of the centre and evolve the offer for the local community, and the progress we're seeing now is a really positive indication of what can be achieved."

"These new lettings are an important part of that journey, but there is much more to come. We're particularly excited about the opportunities to introduce further leisure and dining concepts, which will broaden the offer and help position The Marlowes as a destination in its own right. Our focus is on creating a vibrant, diverse and sustainable town-centre destination that serves Hemel Hempstead and its wider community."

The new arrivals add to an already strong mix of retailers, services and attractions at the centre, reinforcing its role at the heart of Hemel Hempstead. Further announcements are expected in the coming months as Maritime Capital continues to expand the centre's offer.