What was Luton famous for?
It was in the 17th century when the hatmaking that became synonymous with the town began. By the 18th century the hatmaking industry, especially straw hat manufacture, dominated the town as its only significant industry. Hats are still produced in the town on a smaller scale. By 1842 import tariffs had been removed and this made straw grown in England cheaper; this in turn helped the farming economy resulting in hats made in Luton being less expensive than those from abroad. Throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century many houses were extended to become hat workshops.Long famous for the manufacture of straw hats, Luton developed into an industrial town dominated by the motor vehicle industry. The hat industry still prospers, with felt hats as the principal product.There are local museums which explore Luton’s history in Wardown Park and Stockwood Park. Luton was once known for hatmaking and became a centre for the British motor industry with the establishment of the Vauxhall Motors factory in 1905.Long famous for the manufacture of straw hats, Luton developed into an industrial town dominated by the motor vehicle industry. The hat industry still prospers, with felt hats as the principal product.
What was Luton called before?
Its name first appears in the 8th century as Lygetun, meaning town on the River Lea. The Domesday Book records Luton as Loitone and as Lintone. Agriculture dominated the local economy at that time, and the town’s population was around 700 to 800. Luton is believed to have been founded by the Anglo-Saxons sometime in the 6th century. Its name first appears in the 8th century as Lygetun, meaning town on the River Lea. The Domesday Book records Luton as Loitone and as Lintone.Luton is a corruption of Lea-ton meaning farm by the Lea. The earliest mention of the name is in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of the early 10th century.Luton has seen several waves of immigration. In the early part of the 20th century, there was internal migration of Irish and Scottish people to the town. These were followed by Afro-Caribbean and Asian immigrants. More recently immigrants from other European Union countries have made Luton their home.
Is Luton an Islamic town?
The number of people reporting as Christian is still the largest group in Luton but the number of Christians fell by 11. The numbers of Muslims increased from 49,991 to 74,191 in the last decade, an increase of 48. Islam is the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom, with results from the 2021 Census recording just under four million Muslims, or 6. United Kingdom. London has the largest population and greatest proportion (15%) of Muslims in the country.Demography. The settlements with the largest numbers of Muslims are Birmingham, Bradford, London, Manchester and Leicester. There are also high numbers in Kirklees, Luton, Bolton, Slough, Rochdale and mill towns of Northern England like Oldham and Blackburn. Muslim population in English local authority areas.When compared with England and Wales there is a larger proportion of Muslims in Luton, 32. There is a smaller proportion of Christians, 37.
What is the main religion in Luton?
Of the population of Luton, 74. UK identity compared with 88 per cent nationally. The number of people reporting as Christian is still the largest group in Luton but the number of Christians fell by 11. According to the council, 55% of the town’s residents are from diverse backgrounds, with around 150 different languages and dialects spoken in the borough. Luton has long been a magnet for immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, South Asia, the Caribbean and parts of Europe.Some parts of Luton see higher crime rates than national averages, but there are initiatives in place to improve local infrastructure and safety. From affordable housing options to a vibrant community spirit, Luton is a good place to live for people who value accessibility and a balanced lifestyle.South Luton: Known for its diverse range of housing options, South Luton features a mix of period properties and modern developments. This area benefits from good transport links, schools, and local amenities, making it an attractive option for families and professionals.Luton’s economy has a range of traditionally strong sectors that employ lots of people, including manufacturing, construction, transport and aviation.Luton’s overall population increased by 22,000 between 2011 and 2021. Table 1 shows that the proportion of White British in Luton is now 31. The number of Asian British people at 83,325 is now larger than the number of White British in the town.