Bishop's Stortford
The history, development and future plans for the town of Bishop's Stortford
Bishop’s Stortford is a thriving market town, and one which has been an important commercial centre since antiquity. Owing to its strategic location it has been, at various stages of its history, an important staging post for coaches, a major port of call for waterways traffic, and one of the first rail terminuses for commuters. Now, with its proximity to Stansted Airport, and its direct links to the M11 and A120, it has entered a new era of commercial expansion.
The town itself, with its rich collection of 16th and 17th century buildings, preserves much of its old world character and charm, yet blends traditional and modern in an attractive civic environment. It’s home to a bustling street market on Thursdays and Saturdays; is noted for established independent retailers like Joscelynes, Boardmans and Tissimans; and boasts a modern glass roofed shopping precinct – Jackson Square – and the usual complement of national chain stores and supermarkets.
In addition, a new multi-million pound town centre/riverside development is planned over the next few years, which will include a new public square; new mooring facilities for boats; a community hall; a 740 space public car park and a new food superstore. New retail units will link the superstore to the existing Jackson Square shopping precinct.
Bishop’s Stortford is an excellent place to live and work, and offers plentiful new housing, schooling and entertainment facilities including Bishop’s Stortford Boys College, an important public school; the Rhodes Centre, birthplace of the famous African adventurer, which doubles as a museum and arts centre; and the Anchor Street complex, which houses a multiplex cinema, ten-pin bowling alley and health club.