Luton fights back after being labelled ‘the worst place in the country to live’ in online poll

Luton has been branded the worst place to live in England – according to an online poll.

Website iLiveHere says 105,598 people took part in the vote, with Luton revealed as the dubious winner of the poll when the results were released on Monday.

That’s worse than last year’s result, when the town was placed at number three.

The video annoucement states: “The town itself is not easy on the eye... it makes Slough comparable to the playboy tax exile haven of Monaco” while the website said Luton had been “lurking around the top 10 like a pervert in a bush for a decade”.

Ouch.

But not everyone agrees with the results.

Linsey Sweet, chair of Love Luton, said: “Luton is a vibrant, diverse town with award winning parks, fabulous communities who support one another, businesses and companies that are investing and providing a wide variety of jobs, it has great schools, amazing colleges and an outstanding university, there is plenty to Love about Luton. We would very much welcome the organisers of the poll to come for a visit to see just how great Luton is.”

Recent figures prove business is booming in the town, with more than 4,000 new businesses starting up in the town last year, with the “ambition, creativity and resilience of entrepreneurs” celebrated.

Altaf Hussain, CEO and chief executive of Luton Sixth Form College, commented: “I love Luton. It’s a vibrant, modern and diverse town with so many unique features. When I was appointed as principal I said that the future Prime Minister or the scientist that will one day find the cure for cancer will come from Luton and hopefully Luton Sixth Form College. I truly believe that - its only impossible until its done.

“One thing I have learnt about our great town is that we make the ordinary extraordinary. Luton is a super diverse and cohesive town with a powerful sense of community spirit within our neighbourhoods – no wonder we were recently voted the third most generous place in the UK in donating the most to good causes. On top of that we have so many good and outstanding schools and colleges such as Luton Sixth Form College and, remarkably, we are one of the few places in the country with no inadequate schools. Now that’s something to shout about!”

Do you agree there’s plenty to love about Luton? Share your good news stories with us online – from Luton heroes to charity champions and caring communities – and let’s prove the doubters wrong!