Harpenden has more millionaires than Mayfair

4:04pm Monday 14th January 2002

A NEW survey has revealed that Harpenden boasts more millionaires than some of the most exclusive addresses in London.

The survey, conducted by The Sunday Times, found that a staggering 16 per cent of residents living on The Common fall into the millionaire bracket more than Mayfair, Knightsbridge or Kensington and Chelsea.

The picturesque town comes seventh in a nationwide poll of the UK's most exclusive neighbourhoods.

The survey also lists Elstree and Radlett at numbers 14 and 15 respectively.

Harpenden town council clerk Anita Pack was surprised to learn The Common was home to such a wealth of millionaires

But she said: "Well, we're delighted obviously. I had no idea that was the case, but with that in mind hopefully we can get get more support from residents for our community projects in the future."

Quite why Harpenden has been transformed into Hertfordshire's millionaires' row is not known.

But Mr Philip Beresford, who compiles The Sunday Times rich-list, believes that areas just outside the capital are proving increasingly alluring to the rich and famous.

For the first time Loudwater, an upmarket housing estate near Watford, took the top spot with 23 per cent of the population boasting a seven-figure fortune.

But the list, compiled after a study of shareholders' registers, a database of company directors, credit records and surveys, does not include foreign millionaires who typically dominate the most exclusive addresses in London.