Another boost to Hitchin’s reputation as a property hotspot comes with the news a top end estate agent is set to open up on Hermitage Road next month.

Fine & Country, which has more than 300 locations worldwide and an office in London’s plush Park Lane, aim to launch a new business specialising in homes worth £500,000 and more.

Managing director Neil Wise told the Comet: “The reason we chose to come to Hitchin is because it is a thriving, growing town and is highly desirable.

“Lots of people are looking to move out of the London market and are choosing to live in the town because of the easy access to London through good transport links.

“Having a head office in Park Lane means our main clients are what you may term as ‘sheiks and oligarchs’.

“We are looking towards offering a tailored package to our Hitchin clients with starting prices in and around Hitchin being in the region of £500,000 and upwards.”

A spokesman for Brand Street-based Country Properties said: “We feel the regeneration of Hermitage Road has given a real buzz to the local shops and businesses, with increasing foot traffic throughout the town.

“Hermitage Road is benefitting the town as a whole, with its diversity of retailers making it a really interesting and exciting place.

“We have recently let 24 apartments in Townsend on Hermitage Road, which is a converted commercial building previously known as Natwest House.

“We have had a phenomenal amount of interest on The Grange apartments also on Hermitage Road, with almost all apartments being sold in one day, proving to be an extremely popular and sought after location.”

Adam Day. owner of town-based online estate agents hatched.co.uk said: “It’s interesting to see an agent like this come to Hitchin because it shows the price bracket they deal in is coming to Hitchin.

“It will also be interesting to see how they get on with the particular site as it has had a chequered past in terms of being home to other estates agents – but we welcome them, and we welcome the challenge.

“It’s testament to the vibrancy of Hitchin a business like this is coming here.”

Hitchin Town centre manager Keith Hoskins said: “This news shows Hitchin is a vibrant place – and if oligarchs and sheikhs want to live in Hitchin they will be welcomed just like everyone else!”

Owner of popular Hermitage Road hair salon Farley’s Hair Emporium, Felix Camfield-Walker said: “I’m looking forward to seeing some sheikhs and oligarchs walking down Hermitage Road.

“I’ll gladly cut their hair. They should come to Rhythms of the World, too.”