A COMPETITION has been launched to transform Hemel Hempstead’s Market Square.
The area has been mostly empty since the town’s main market moved into Marlowes, but now plans are afoot to create a mind-boggling maze there.
Dacorum Borough Council has been speaking to a group of householders and businesses about how the area can be improved in the short term while it firms up future regeneration plans. The aim is to make it look more attractive and a social area where people can gather.
A bric-a-brac market is still held within the square along with one-off events, so the improvements must not get in the way of these. The group came up with two solutions – new planters and trees, which will be installed this summer, and a maze on the paving.
Now people are being invited to come up with the maze design.
Councillor Stephen Holmes, who oversees planning and regeneration, said: “Whether you’re a student or a shopper, resident or visitor, professional artist or amateur doodler, please a-maze us with your entry.”
All entries must be received by 5pm on Monday, June 18. To enter, design a maze to fit a floor space of 27x14m. Additional information can be included in the maze, like Hemel Hempstead’s history, local people and stories – whatever you think visitors might be interested in.
You can use up to four different colours and the width of all paths within the maze should be around 60cm.
Send entries by email, as a jpeg or PDF, to dave.wells@dacorum.gov.uk or post it to Dave Wells, Dacorum Borough Council, Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1HH. Remember to provide your name, address, telephone number and email address.
You can download a template from www.dacorum.gov.uk or pick up a copy from the civic centres in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring.
