You know who I am. You know what I love to do. But how many of you know about the place you live? Or more in particular, how many of you know about Hitchin?
Okay, let's get the history bit out the way. Hitchin was first noted in the 7th century, mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086, and is home to St. Mary's Church, with parts dating back to 1190. We're in the history books for largest hailstones in Britain too, after 4 inch ice balls fell in 1697. Don't ask me how they know about that.
Also, according to legend, King Henry VIII nearly died in a fire in Hitchin, Sir Henry Wood did die in Hitchin, and it was where Bob Hope claimed to have gained his sense of humour. We have the world's only Lancastrian schoolroom, and hold Rhythms of the World, what was Europe's largest free music festival, but is now held in Hitchin Priory. We're quite a big deal. Or at least we think we are.
Oh, don't forget the mighty, mighty River Hiz. It's a beast.
But what interests me most is the historic market town, and how we've built ourselves up since the recession. It's been a crazy few years, and we're back with a bang in becoming a hub for quality shopping, bars and restaurants.
What do we have then? Well, we've got a Starbucks, like pretty much everywhere in the world now. Alongside a Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Thornton's Café, Café Rouge and local shops like Delizia, Hitchin Café and Cornish Hearts. If you like your coffee, it's a great place to be. There's a nice big Waterstone's, a Boots Pharmacy, WH Smith's, an M&S Simply Food, a big Wilko's, New Look, Argos, some bloody good restaurants, like Pizza Express, Zizzi, Prezzo, and Strada, and countless others.
But what we do even better is knit all of these big, multi-store companies with the small, independent shops that make this country so great. We've got small fashion boutiques, like What Sarah Did, and Mayson's. There's wonderful bakers, like the Deli Quotidian, and The Cake Hole. There's Bar Amigo and Just Desserts, alongside our converted Corn Exchange, which is now Que Pasa. We've got Pebble Hand & Foot Sanctuary, hairdressers throughout the town, and lots more stores that are quaint and so wonderfully thought out. Especially Parc Computer Centre, but I'm obliged to say that.
But over the next few months? Well, it's a very exciting time in Hitchin. The empty stores that have been littered throughout the town since the credit crunch are slowly being filled. Gone are the empty Woolworths eye sore, the empty charity shops and the 'to let' stores. Now, we've got so many exciting plans.
Monsoon opened their new store today. Next want to extend their store to include a higher menswear section. We've got Claire's Accessories coming to join the party. Peacocks are coming in to take on the Hitchin locals. We're also getting a lovely new first-floor bar and restaurant down Hermitage Road. Not only that, but (I'm sorry if you have no idea where these stores are, but come to Hitchin and find out!) there are lots of rumours and planning applications too... There's a restaurant planned for Graham Ranger, there's another half of Woolie's to fill, the old Halifax branch is under offer from Card Factory, the old Monsoon store is being filled, Netto is to become Asda, the old AcuChina is under offer, we're getting an Austin Reed - it's a great, vibrant time.
Not only that, but with Hitchin BID, Hitchin Initiative, and the Best of Hitchin all helping make the town better, it's really becoming somewhere that will very shortly be on the map. Especially if the £50m Churchgate redevelopments finally get the go-ahead, following the agreement for a brand new Town Hall and Hitchin Museum.
I love Hitchin.
Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com
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