In the 21st century Luton remains a key area for business and commerce in the south east. Historically, it has always been an important centre for manufacturing and played a crucial role in the development of the engineering industry in the 20th century.

Luton is a town keen to meet the changing face of industry and business and is repositioning itself within ‘knowledge economy’.With close links to the University of Bedfordshire and as part of the Oxford-Cambridge ‘innovation arc’, it is encouraging joint efforts in high-tech business development, research and training.