Garden City in full bloom as businesses flock to Letchworth

The world’s first Garden City is defying regional trends with a thriving commercial property market, driven by a growing demand for office space.

Commercial property consultancy Kirkby Diamond has played a key role in this growth, working with Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to deliver more than 25 successful lease renewals and rent reviews over the past year. Several new lettings have also brought jobs and investment into the area. Letchworth Garden City continues to attract businesses thanks to its blend of green space, strong transport links and modern infrastructure. The Heritage Foundation manages the estate with a focus on community benefit, reinvesting profits into local services, culture and public spaces.

Kirkby Diamond was appointed to manage the Foundation’s office and industrial portfolio, securing all lease renewals and rent reviews due in 2025 – covering spaces from 567 square feet to 7,300 square feet – indicating robust and diverse demand. The agency team also completed key lettings at landmark sites including Spirella, Nexus and One Garden City, standing in contrast to weaker demand in nearby towns.

Hannah Niven, Head of North Hertfordshire Agency at Kirkby Diamond, said: “The recent letting at Spirella to Dormakaba – an international provider of smart, secure access solutions –underlines Letchworth’s appeal as a location for offices. Coupled with several other lettings over the past 12 months across the portfolio, this bucks the trend of rising vacancy rates in neighbouring towns.”

Rex Dunn, Assistant Surveyor at Kirkby Diamond, said: “It has been a pleasure working alongside the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation’s property team. As a place-based landlord, they are committed to making Letchworth a better place to live and work. By providing quality office space, they ensure businesses continue to thrive here – creating jobs for the local community.”

Founded by Ebenezer Howard, Letchworth’s Garden City principles continue to attract organisations that value quality of life and connectivity. With direct rail access to London and proximity to the A1, it remains a competitive option for businesses of all sizes.

Joseph Vallelly, Head of Commercial Property at Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, said: “We are extremely pleased with the strong performance of our office portfolio over the past year. Working closely with Kirkby Diamond, we’ve seen continued demand from businesses who value what Letchworth has to offer.

“Our focus remains on supporting local employment, attracting inward investment and ensuring that our commercial spaces contribute positively to the wider community.”

Chartered accountants detail year of ESG milestones

A leading accountancy firm has published its Sustainability Impact Report 2024/25, showcasing the firm’s progress in embedding ESG practices across its operations.

Founded in 1993, Hillier Hopkins is a UK Top 50 chartered accountancy firm with offices in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and London.

Since joining international business network TGS Global in 2020 – an alliance committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – the firm has resolved to integrating sustainability into its business decisions and culture. The report outlines a broad range of achievements that span people, community and the environment.

Internally, the firm recorded high employee satisfaction, with engagement survey results placing it above industry and global benchmarks. This recognition contributed to its inclusion in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. Investments in professional development, mentoring and wellbeing initiatives were also expanded to support staff growth and satisfaction.

Externally, Hillier Hopkins deepened relationships with clients through a series of tax and finance updates and the introduction of an ethical marketing policy. Community impact was another area of focus, with the firm raising £29,000 for the Hospice of St Francis, delivered free accountancy workshops for charities, supported local schools and clocked in 142 hours of staff volunteering.

Environmental initiatives included measuring the firm’s carbon footprint across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, recycling 106 pieces of IT equipment and planting 368 trees through a partnership with Fruitful Office. The firm also implemented greener commuting options and strengthened recycling practices. Governance improvements included a new sustainable procurement policy and the commissioning of an external review to assess progress and guide future efforts.

Alex Bottom, Managing Principal, said: “In these volatile times, it is more important than ever to stay committed to sustainability. Our efforts not only contribute to a healthier planet, but also ensure our own long-term resilience and success. This report is proof of the progress we’ve made –and the ambitions we are setting for the future.”

Looking ahead, Hillier Hopkins is aiming for B Corp certification in 2025, with a goal to improve its sustainability score by 10 per cent by 2028. Future priorities include developing a carbon reduction plan, expanding pro bono work, increasing transparency in diversity and pay reporting and supporting clients in advancing their own sustainability goals.

Katie Harvard Taylor, Principal and Chair of the Sustainability Team, said: “We are proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but this is just the beginning. By working together with our clients, communities and colleagues, we aim to create a lasting positive impact for generations to come.”