Welwyn Garden City's population reached 51,505 at the 2021 census, a town built almost entirely to a single plan in Hertfordshire.
Howardsgate, and a town planned from scratch
Welwyn Garden City was the second garden city built to Ebenezer Howard's plan, with residents first moving in during December 1920 and the whole town laid out over four decades by chief architect Louis de Soissons. Howardsgate, connecting the main Parkway axis to the railway station, was designed as the town's principal shopping street, and the only shop available in the earliest days was the Welwyn Stores, set up to cover most of what the new residents needed. The Howard Centre, the town's later indoor shopping mall, takes its name from Howard himself.
It's one of the more deliberately planned high streets in the country — a whole retail centre designed before the houses around it were even finished — but that planning was for general retail, not a purpose-built confectionery trade.
What a planned town centre doesn't cover
A planned town centre, however well designed, doesn't guarantee a specialist sweet shop. Howardsgate and the Howard Centre don't hold 3kg bulk bags, vegan-specific ranges or halal-friendly selections ready to go — general retail was never built around that kind of order.
Why Welwyn Garden City shoppers order online anyway
For bulk, dietary-specific or trade quantities, ordering online and having it delivered direct to a Welwyn Garden City address is the more consistent option than a trip to Howardsgate.
25,000+ customers, and counting
We've served over 25,000 customers UK-wide, Welwyn Garden City included, with most orders dispatched within 1-2 business days. The range covers pick 'n' mix by the bag and tub, bulk bags from 1kg to 3kg, trade cases for events and businesses, vegan and halal-friendly sweets, retro favourites, and full chocolate ranges from the major brands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver sweets to Welwyn Garden City?
Yes — UK-wide, including Welwyn Garden City, with most orders dispatched in 1-2 business days.
Is Welwyn Garden City's town centre historic?
Yes — Howardsgate was laid out as the principal shopping street of the UK's second garden city from 1920. It's general retail, not a sweet specialist.
Can I buy bulk or wholesale sweets in Welwyn Garden City?
Not from Howardsgate or the Howard Centre — we deliver bulk bags, multipacks and trade cases direct to Welwyn Garden City addresses instead.
Browse Pick 'n' Mix and Bulk Bags.