A town that often features in lists of the worst places to live in the UK is being “dragged down” further by an eyesore of 24 trashed and empty shops next to each other, shoppers say.

The number of empty units without a break would be 30 if it weren’t for a lonely opticians that has hung on in there while all the others have left and briefly breaks up the boarded-up units in Harlow town centre in Essex.

There are another eight empty shops in the nearby vicinity.

The branch of Specsavers in question had to be briefly evacuated earlier this year after persons unknown set fire to rubbish that had accumulated near the back of the building.

It was just one of a series of fires lit by vandals who have broken into the empty shops and flats above them, while they have sat empty and deteriorated over the past few years.

Vandals have been systematically getting inside the empty building, smashing stuff up and even committing arson, but despite pledges to secure the buildings there was a clear way in through a hole in a wooden boarding when Express.co.uk visited earlier this week.

Harlow was one of a number of new towns built in the first wave of development in the late 1940s and 1950s, like Basildon, to create new homes for people bombed out of London in the Second World War.

Harlow new town was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, a visionary on an aesthetic, as well as practical level.

As a result, visitors are met with the surprising and rewarding sight of public art, especially the stunning sculptures dotted around the town. You can admire works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Elizabeth Frink, and Barbara Hepworth.

Due to this it is recognised as the UK’s only sculpture town with over 100 public sculptures on display.

The wider town is also built around many green spaces, but, although the design was seen as ground-breaking designs at the time, the grey concrete urban landscapes quickly aged and appeared drab and slipped into depravation.

Some die hard residents remain fond of the town, despite the “crap town” criticism, but even they are fed up with the state of the vacant central shop buildings that have been left by the landowner.

Terry Roberts, 58, a born and bred resident, said: “Harlow will never been a picture postcard town, but you learn to love it, but the state of these shops are dragging it down.

“All you hear from the council is ‘we are doing this multi-million pound redevelopment’ – and to be fair they did the Water Gardens and other bits and pieces, but that was years ago now. There’s work going on in the town square, I don’t know what they are doing, but (gesturing towards the empty shops) look at the state of this place and it’s been like it two or more years.”

The Water Gardens major redevelopment was actually completed 20 years ago in 2004 when a new council offices was developed along side restaurants and new shops.

And, various administrations have promised major redevelopment of the rest of the town centre ever since

Redevelopment work has been ongoing in the town square for several weeks and there is also something happening near the Wetherspoon pub, The William Aylmer.

But, as for the shops, which line three sides of a large development in the middle of the town centre, there only appears to have been further degeneration.

Developer Strawberry Star is behind proposals to transform the site into a development of 163 apartments with cafes and shops called Harlow Quarter.

The project remains listed on its website as an “exciting new” major development that will create “modern apartments in the heart of Harlow’s town centre”.

People can even still register interest in units at the development and a YouTube video showing the potential vibrant lifestyle prospective buyers could enjoy there first posted four years ago remains online.

Strawberry Star bought the site in 2018 and in 2022 planning permission was granted subject to agreeing section 106 infrastructure improvement payments.

In November 2022, the firm hailed the start of the project with a major demolition of another area, but then it went quiet.

In June 2023 they issued a statement to Your Harlow explaining why no work had begun.

The statement said: “We would like to assure you that we are committed to commencing the project as soon as practically possible.

“However, it is important to acknowledge that the construction industry is currently facing significant challenges, resulting in delays across the country. We are working to mitigate these challenges and appreciate the patience and understanding of the local community during this time.”

The firm has until 2027 to commence the development.

Express.co.uk contacted Strawberry Star to ask why one of its empty units could currently be accessed by anyone and for an update on the redevelopment, but got no response.

Joan Curtis, 72, said: “I have always liked the town. The people are great, but it is changing. They are trying to turn it into something it isn’t, but they have got to do something about those empty shops.

“It’s an absolute eyesore. There has always been the occasional empty one but nothing like that as long as I can remember.”

While the older generation have fond memories of the town in its heyday, younger people claim there is little to do, especially at night. Harlow once boasted several bars and clubs, including Yates, Chicago Rock Cafe, an eighties-themed venue and the imposing Seen nightclub.

Seen shut its doors in September 2016, for a refurbishment, but still stands empty eight years on. Another late night bar, that used to stay open until 4am, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, shut for the last time in 2019.

Now there are just two pubs in the town centre, the Wetherspoon and the former Yates, called the Clockhouse, which have both called last orders by 1am at weekends.

Mo, 20, who has lived in the town for four years, said: “Harlow is dead bro. You can’t have a night out here. We have to go (Bishops) Stortford or Chelmsford man or even London, but that is expensive and you can’t even get back, so you have to wait until the next morning. They need to do something with this place.”

Despite the setbacks, Harlow Council remains convinced it can bring the rundown town into the twenty-first century.

A spokesman said: “The changes earmarked through these schemes, as well as the introduction of residential accommodation throughout the town centre will allow the night-time economy to grow, moving from a 9 till 5 destination, to a 24/7 retail, leisure and entertainment hub.”

He said the authority’s own plans to improve the town centre were well underway despite private developer setbacks.

These include four major projects that are all fully government funded:

1. A new bus station funded by £23.7m of government cash which will see the existing bus station replaced with a new bright and welcoming transport hub.

2. At the end of September construction works on the multi-million-pound transformation of the Broad Walk area will begin to create new paving, LED lighting and CCTV with green landscaped spaces.

3. The Harlow Arts and Cultural Quarter will form a new western gateway as part of the regeneration of Harlow town centre in the Playhouse Theatre and College Square with performance and exhibition spaces, a new café and booking office, music school and recording studios and a new location for the Gibberd Art Gallery.

4. The drab Market Square is to be reborn as a new hub for leisure and hospitality with bars, restaurants and much-needed nightlife and a new market with pop-up stalls by day.

The spokesman said: “We’re determined to put the heart back into Harlow by delivering a vibrant, safe and welcoming town centre that will restore pride in our town, attracting investment and opportunities for all.

“We want our town to be a place where people of all ages enjoy spending their time, led by a new arts and cultural quarter with events and activities for everyone.

“We want to keep the Harlow pound here, so residents choose to spend their time and money in Harlow, supporting and is promising a 24/7 economy in the future encouraging local businesses to flourish and succeed.

“It’s not just a renewed town centre that’s important for our future. Our beautiful parks and green spaces are rightly treasured, but we know people want to feel safe in – and proud of – their homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

“So much is coming to Harlow – major housing schemes are underway and planned, resulting in over 20,000 new homes, town centre regeneration is about to take off, and the continued development of the Harlow Enterprise Zone and the Harlow Innovation Park bringing new businesses and jobs.”

Turning to the problems with the deteriorating empty shops, the spokesman added: “We are working with private building owners to make sure their buildings are safe and secure.

“With regards to the specific site owned by Strawberry Star, the council takes incidents of property damage, anti-social or unlawful behaviour and threat to public safety very seriously and is disappointed at the sporadic approach taken by Strawberry Star to manage the site to date.

“A multi-agency approach (including Essex Fire Service, the council’s building control and Essex Police, along with senior officers of the council, has been taken requesting action to address the issues.

“The council is committed to using all available means to compel Strawberry Star to secure the site and is in direct dialogue with the neighbouring businesses.”