The District
Covering an area of square miles and with a population of 121,000,
as its name indicates North Hertfordshire forms the northern boundary
of Hertfordshire, looking from the airy vantage points of the Chiltern
Hills over Bedfordshire and
Cambridgeshire to its north. Most of its population is centred on
the three historic market towns of Hitchin, Baldock and Royston,
which all grew up on the main roads north from London, and also
on the unique urban experiment that is Letchworth Garden City, one
of Britain’s first new towns founded in 1903. Yet it is also
one of Hertfordshire’s most rural districts and boasts miles
of unspoilt undulating countryside interspersed with “picture
postcard” villages. Within easy commuting distance of London,
North Hertfordshire is relatively affluent, has a low crime rate
and very good standards of health and education.
The Economy
North Hertfordshire is a prosperous area with a thriving economy,
low unemployment and up to 6,000 businesses, including a large number
of independent shops and a majority of small firms.
This very diversity is the area’s strength, protecting it
from the shockwaves that follow when a large company pulls out of
an area. It also reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the residents,
who want to put something back into their community and have the
drive to do it.
They are supported by North Hertfordshire District Council in a
number of ways including time and advice from its expert staff as
well as financial support for town centre partnerships in Hitchin,
Letchworth Garden City and Royston. Hitchin Initiative, one of the
first in the country, is so successful that in 2005 the town centre
manager won a national award for his outstanding work.
Hitchin and Royston also have thriving chambers of commerce and
the Letchworth GC Town Centre Partnership, working with North Hertfordshire
College, has established a successful business breakfast club. The
area is covered by the Stevenage and North Herts Business Initiative
which helps new companies get on their feet and offers support to
established ones. The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
based at nearby Stevenage, has a wide range of services and activities
available to members who come from across the county.
North Hertfordshire College runs an extensive programme of courses
and liaises with local companies to satisfy their individual training
needs.
The area is fortunate to have one large company, based in Royston.
Specialist chemical and precious metals company Johnson Matthey
employs about 1,000 people and is a valuable part of the North Herts
economy.
So are the wide range of small individual shops, often located in
historic streets and buildings. They sell a variety of products
from everyday essentials to high-quality arts and crafts, antiques,
specialist foods, stylish clothes and jewellery. Some of the country’s
oldest family firms stand cheek by jowl alongside exciting new stores,
while other entrepreneurs run cafes, bars and restaurants to satisfy
every taste and budget.
Hitchin, Baldock and Royston all hold traditional twice-weekly or
weekly markets, established centuries ago to serve nearby villages
and farms.
They have been strengthened recently by a range of specialist markets
including farmers, craftsmen and Italian and French traders. You
can visit Hitchin’s farmers’ market on the fourth Tuesday,
Royston’s on the first Friday and Letchworth’s on the
third Saturday of each month to see a wide range of fresh produce
including soap and lotion made from Hitchin lavender and locally
grown produce.
North Hertfordshire buzzes, from the firms that make their homes
in rural outbuildings to its industrial estates and town centre
offices. Everywhere you turn there is another business, another
company, another small thriving enterprise serving a specialist
market with professionalism, skill and enthusiasm.
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