Hitchin’s long-running Churchgate shopping centre saga has taken yet another twist – with the news the district council is set to talk again with developers later this month about the much-needed upgrade of the area.

Hammersmatch – which owns the site next to Market Place – was given until the end of 2015 to formulate plans for a small scale scheme and would include addressing the future of the market on the site.

However, the deadline has now passed with nothing to show for it.

Owners of the land, North Herts District Council, asked representatives from Hammersmatch to attend a meeting last week – but the developers responded with an email saying they ‘could not attend’.

This follows on from members of the council voting to plough another £40,000 into a valuation of the area, as well as legal and commercial fees back in February 2015.

Council leader Lynda Needham, said: “Although the exclusivity period expired, the project board felt it would be appropriate to meet with Hammersmatch again later this month, at their request, so councillors can be provided with a full update on next steps at the council meeting on February 11.”