Its proponents say the area has acquired an unfair reputation because of ‘snobbery’.
Luton Bedfordshire has been voted the worst place to live in the UK (Image: Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler)
Brits have observed of late that their towns seem to have more barbers on their high streets than has been the case in the past. Locals often cite their proliferation as a sign of their town centre’s declining prosperity and variety. One place has an awful lot of hairdressers and beauty salons, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
Luton in Bedfordshire has 145 for its population of around 225,300 to choose from. That’s the qeuivalent of about one for every 1,500 people. Employed by them are 362 people, and they have a turnover of £12,252, the ONS detailed.
In the country as a whole there were 50,400 as of October. Other places that have a lot include Kent (1,050), outer London (4,975), inner London (4,240), Hertfordshire (1,035), Essex (1,140), the West Midlands (2,095), West Yorkshire (1,660), Merseyside (1,220), Greater Manchester (2,375) and Tyne and Wear (1,005).
Residents told The Express about crime (Image: Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler)
In 2023, Luton was named as the worst place to live in England in a viral online poll by online community review website ilivehere.co.uk.
Some of the negative reviews for the town included: “The town itself is not easy on the eye.”
Another said: “It makes Slough comparable to the playboy tax exile haven of Monaco.”
Luton also appeared in a list of the most ‘depressing’ towns in 2024.
It was described as “England’s toilet”, coming in at number 11, The Mirror reported.
The newspaper found during a visit to Luton that the word “unsafe” pops up regularly when describing life in the town.
The Express spoke with Luton residents earlier this year (Image: Phil Harris)
Locals told The Express earlier this year that people run around Luton with blades, and they fear getting stabbed while out and about.
Residents have also had their doors kicked, and feel intimidated on the high street by groups “swilling drinks down their throats” and “swearing and shouting”.
The local council insisted that the area is improving and that the issues it is facing are seen elsewhere.
James Taylor, Luton Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, claimed that the fact that the Channel 4 show “24 Hours in Police Custody” is filmed there gives Luton a bad reputation.
Some of this is down to “snobbery”, he believes, in relation to the town’s multi-ethnic and working class population, with Luton surrounded by more wealthy areas.
“We’ve always been resilient,” he added. “We’re a working class town and we’re proud of who we are.”
