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The District
Covering an area of 144 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, Britain’s first garden city 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. Royston and Hitchin have both
set up Business Improvement Districts and put a series of measures
in place to enhance the town centres.
North Hertfordshire is supported by Wenta, a not-for-profit agency
that provides business advice and support that enables start-ups
to get off the ground and existing businesses to grow. The Hertfordshire
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, based in 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 Royston based specialist chemical
and precious metals company Johnson Matthey as a large employer
forming 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 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 last Saturday,
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. Hexton also has a farmers’ market on the third
Friday of each month from 1pm until 4pm at St Faith’s Church.
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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