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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 employing less than 10 people.

This very diversity is the area’s strength, protecting it from the shockwaves that follow when a large company pulls out of a town. 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 wide range 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 and 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.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. All photographs courtesy of North Hertfordshire District Council unless otherwise stated.