Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire, England with a population of 81,143 at the 2001 Census (but now estimated at around 89,000 by Hertfordshire county council) . Developed after World War II as a new town, it has existed as a settlement since the 8th century. It is part of the district (and borough since 1984) of Dacorum and the Hemel Hempstead constituency. On 11 December 2005 it was brought into the news by the Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire. The Jarman Park Leisure centre (Leisure World) was opened, containing eight film screens (Empire Cinema), ten pin bowling (Hotshots), ice rink (Silver Blades), water park (Aqua Splash)and night clubs (Lava and Ignite). This development, and those of the adjacent MacDonalds and restaurant Tesco superstore, were built on land originally donated to the town for recreational purposes. Land has also been reserved for a hotel, but to date (October 2007) this remains derelict. Replacement openspace was created to the east of the town, near to Leverstock Green, Longdean Park and Nash Mills. The former Dickinsons factory site, straddling the canal at Apsley, has been redeveloped with housing, a mooring basin, and an hotel. An office block is planned. Some buildings have been retained for their historic interest and to provide a home for the projected Paper Museum. An indoor shopping mall was developed adjacent to the south end of the Marlowes retail area, and in 2005 the Riverside development designed by Bernard Engle Architects was opened, effectively extending the main shopping precinct towards the Plough roundabout. The new centre includes several outlets for national retailers including Debenhams, Starbucks, Virgin Records, etc. These two developments have moved the "centre of gravity" of the retail centre away from the traditional market and the north end of Marlowes has become an area for secondary outlets. More on Hemel Hempstead 

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