It is named after Sir Ebenezer Howard, founder of the garden city movement.

[2] The centre provides 230,000 sq ft (21,000 m2) of space set across two levels; anchor tenants include Boots, WHSmith, Monsoon and H&M.

In April 2022, the then largest anchor store Marks & Spencer (occupying 84,000 sq ft (7,800 m2) split across both floors at the centre's northern end[3]) closed their Howard Centre branch and relocated to Stevenage.

[4] The centre has direct access to Welwyn Garden City railway station, along with the rail ticket office within the centre itself, and is adjacent to the town's bus station.

It is complemented by the John Lewis store which is nearby on Bridge Road.