Chelmsford is a city, and the county town of Essex, in the East of England. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately 30 miles northeast of the notional centre of London at Charing Cross and 22 miles southwest of Colchester.
Its economy is linked to Port of London industries, its own offices, retail and Lakeside, West Thurrock. The shopping centre, in addition to the retail parks, forms one of the largest shopping areas in a single location within Europe.