The plans include:

• A new 30,000 sq. ft department store at the southern end of the pedestrianised area, on the junction of Bridge Street and Old River Lane, with the existing Waitrose store extended at the northern end.
• Approximately 35 shops, of which 10 are smaller units designed for independent traders, and 2 restaurants;
• A digital cinema — which will offer high end dining and also host conferences as well as private viewings;
• A hotel;
• Circa 100 residential apartments; and
• Up to 670 parking spaces.

The impetus for the scheme is East Hertfordshire District Council's 2008 Retail and Town Centres Study which identified that an additional 11,282 sq m of net comparison retail floor space is required between 2008 and 2013, and that the introduction of a department store would offer the greatest assistance in retaining expenditure in the town.