A valiant effort from our amazing town of Hitchin!

Alas, it wasn't to be on Wednesday evening in the Palace of Westminster - but the town of Hitchin can be rightly proud of being shortlisted in such a prestigious national award.

Hitchin was one of 30 towns across the UK to have been selected as a finalist in the 'Let's Celebrate Towns' competition – a nationwide showcase run by Visa, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium.

The Champion Award recognised exceptionally strong examples of towns that are creating a highly supportive business environment and helping communities to thrive, leading the way for other areas across the UK to follow.

And while Hitchin didn't seal silverware, to even make the hotly-contested finals of such a competitive national list was success enough.

Town centre manager Tom Hardy represented Hitchin at the historic site and told Nub News: "Although we didn't win town champion awards, I am delighted that we were shortlisted out of so many towns across the UK.

"I'm proud to have been there [on Wednesday] night to represent such an amazing town centre and I'm honoured to be the town centre manager of such a vibrant and community driven place

"We will certainly be applying for awards such as these in the future, as I truly believe Hitchin stands out as one of the best market towns in the country

"I felt very honoured and proud to be representing a small town, such as Hitchin in such a prestigious venue as the Palace of Westminster.

"Our town has had special recognition in Parliament in the finalist for the great British High Street awards and nominated for Hertfordshire. Business awards in 2019 - it was a great feeling to be standing in the Palace of Westminster, representing our fantastic town of Hitchin."

Hitchin Town Centre Manager Tom Hardy (right) at the Palace of Westminster along with Hitchin BID Chairman Mark Shields. CREDIT: Hitchin BID

See Hitchin Nub News soon for more exciting news regarding the outstanding work Tom and his team carry out on a daily basis.