The low-lying lands of the East of England have always had a sedate charm. As though it hasn't caught up with the modern world. Of countless lazy sunny days drifting along the Norfolk broads at a heady 2mph. A sparsely populated region with unforgettable market towns and quaint villages that add a sense of calmness to life.
The East of England was always known for agriculture maybe that is why it is called the breadbasket of England. It's the largest producer of potatoes. It was the birthplace of modern bread making; the Chorleywood Bread Process has changed the way the world manufactures bread. And who can forget Bernard Mathews' butiful turkeys or that Coleman's Mustard was founded in Norwich. Agriculture is in the East of England's their blood.
But that doesn't mean that there haven't been traditional manufacturing bases in the East of England. Arlesey was one of the thriving brick making centres of Britain, with the small town of only 5000 inhabitants having no less than 6 brickworks at one time. Creating millions of bricks per year to help build London and the new railways that came with the industrial revolution. The now multi-cultural town of Luton was the hub of hat making, not on just in Britain, but across the world. At one point it is estimated that Luton manufactured over 70 million hats a year. Unfortunately, there are only around 10 hat makers that survive in Luton but they are hanging on to their craft and heritage.
Smaller companies can thrive in this environment though, away from the stresses of city life. The East of England has the third fastest growing creative industries sector which are mainly centred in and around Norwich and Cambridge.
We doff our cap to East of England.