Despite its long history, and the fact that it is now
a very important conservation area,  Stamford
has by no means ‘stagnated’ over recent years. It blends
the old and the new in very pleasing juxtaposition. The town has
several well-established industries as well as newer, smaller businesses
that bring new and welcome employment to the town.
In recent years, too, Stamford has extended well beyond the boundaries
of the older town beside the Welland. It now has extensive areas
of new housing in both the municipal and private sectors. These
housing areas are largely found on the town’s north side and
to the west, between the Empingham and Tinwell roads, near the line
of the A1 trunk road by-pass. Many houses in this area enjoy fine
views out over the Welland Valley and into Rutland and surrounding
counties.
Stamford’s shopping centre is surprisingly extensive with
High Street and Ironmonger Street now both pedestrianised. Long
of importance, the Friday Market sees stalls  extending
along Broad and Ironmonger Streets and the colourful and lively
activity draws shoppers from a wide surrounding area in search of
fresh produce and bargains. Many smaller, individual shops and familiar
high street names, including Marks and Spencer, W.H. Smiths and
Woolworths, add to the shopping options whilst three supermarkets
- Morrisons, Somerfield and Tesco - complete the choices available
As benefits a town with a long history of scholarship, Stamford
has an excellent range of both state-run and independent schools
including half a dozen primary schools, one secondary school, a
College for Further Education and a Business School. The boys’
public school, Stamford School, was founded in 1532 and now has
665 boys of which 70 are boarders; Stamford High School, on the
south side of the river, is a public school for girls, founded in
1876 and now with 613 pupils (of whom 38 are boarders), whilst there
are other independent schools offering all levels of education.
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