Eastlife Autumn 2020

Hitchin
Herts
innovative
town adapts
to succeed
Hitchin is a beautiful historic market town in North Hertfordshire,
renowned for its independent shops, cafés and restaurants,
vibrant music scene and bustling markets.
With popular attractions such as Hitchin Lavender’s stunning
summer displays, the British Schools Museum and the cobbled
Market Place with its buildings dating back to the 15th century,
it’s easy to see why Hitchin has become a favourite tourist
destination.
Throughout lockdown and beyond, The Hitchin Business
Improvement District (BID) team has been working hard with
local businesses readying the town to welcome back both
locals and visitors.
Visitor safety
By providing subsidised PPE, external floor stickers and signage,
the BID team has eased the financial pressures on local
businesses of reopening post lockdown. To help customers
shop safely, outdoor hand sanitiser stations have been installed
throughout the town along with social distancing signage.
Hitchin BID is also working with the Council on reducing traffic
by increasing pedestrianisation of the narrower areas of the
town.
Launch of hitchinbasket.com
The BID’s new website hitchinbasket.com highlights what
the town centre has to offer by allowing customers to search
for specific products and services available. All town centre
businesses are featured with a profile, opening times and
up-to-date information which customers can easily access.
Eat Alfresco
The BID’s ‘Eat Alfresco’ initiative has been a fantastic success,
transforming Hitchin’s Market Place into an outdoor eating area
with live music for local cafés and restaurants. It runs for seven
days a week 10am-7.30pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am-
9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays until the end of September.
Tom Hardy, Town Centre Manager, said: “Although this is an
incredibly challenging time for Hitchin, I have been impressed
by businesses’ ability to adapt and come up with ways to
continue trading. This situation has highlighted the importance
of our town centre businesses and community. When this crisis
has passed, I’m confident that Hitchin will be stronger and more
resilient to future challenges.”
Hitchin’s innovation has secured its status as a jewel in
Hertfordshire’s crown. It’s a small town with a big heart and is
well worth a visit.
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