Luton is a large town and local government district located in the south of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres) north of London. Historically, Luton was within the county of Bedfordshire. However, since 1997, the town has been a unitary authority. Luton, along with its near neighbours of Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of over 230,000. Luton is home to Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport, and the University of Bedfordshire. The Luton Carnival, held on the late May bank holiday, is the largest one-day carnival in Europe. The town was for many years famous for hat-making and was also home to a large Vauxhall Motors factory; the head office of Vauxhall Motors is still situated in the town. The main shopping area in Luton is centred around The Mall Arndale. Originally built in the 1960s/70's and opened as an Arndale Centre, construction of the shopping centre led to the demolition of a number of the older buildings in the town centre including the Carnegie library and the Corn exchange. Shops and businesses in the remaining streets, particularly in the roads around Cheapside and in High Town, have been in decline ever since. George Street, on the south side of the Arndale, was pedestrianised in the 1990s. Another major shopping area is Bury Park where there a number shops catering to Luton's ethnic minorities. More on Luton 

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