The business owners who love living in UK's 'coolest' postcode

Spanning the size of just 27 Premier League football pitches, Manningtree has long held the claim of being the smallest town in England. But its bustling High Street full of independent traders, picturesque riverside views, and quaint pubs have earned the town a new title – the "coolest postcode in the UK".

But what do the people living and working there now think about the tiny Essex town?

Manningtree is not a total stranger to some degree of fame and notoriety.

Matthew Hopkins is believed to have started his witch-hunt of East Anglia in the town in the 1640s, and it was referenced in William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part One.

The play describes a character as like a "roasted Manningtree Ox with a pudding in his belly".

It was the inspiration for a sculpture of an ox, installed in the town centre in 2000.

Manningtree is not difficult to reach for tourists from the capital, served by a direct railway line and the A12 dual carriageway.

This location, on the banks of the River Stour between Colchester and Ipswich, will have helped as it topped the Times newspaper's list of the country's coolest postcodes.

Town centre book shop owner Zoe Biles said the new title was a "big accolade".

"I really agree with it," the 31-year-old said, while getting ready to welcome her first customers of the day.

"It's so cool, it's the best place, and to have a business here is wicked. It's the most supportive High Street ever.

"The fellow businesses are all amazing and are so supportive, but the thing that makes it the best thing ever for anyone who runs a business and knows how hard it is, is that the customers and Manningtree residents are just the best.

"They're so engaged, they're so loyal, they keep coming back and supporting us which just means the world."

Sarah Mawkes, who has owned a whole foods shop further along the High Street since 1998, said the town was a "really nice" place.

"Everyone who lives and works here appreciates the town and we just love living here," she said.

Mawkes said the High Street had changed significantly over the past five to 10 years, "much for the better".

She praised the town's "very cool independent shops" and said people should visit "because it's a very friendly place".

Her children, Maisie, 30, and 28-year-old Tom, have also set up businesses in their hometown.

"It means a huge amount to me that my children have quite literally set up shop next door," the mum-of-two said.

"Seeing them enjoying their work and doing what they love gives me enormous faith in Manningtree's future."

Cafe owner Hannah Linnett, 36, said Manningtree was "the best place you can come to".

"I couldn't really ask for any more in the area," she said, with the sound of coffee machines whirring behind her.

The area of Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley is home to only 9,414 people and 7% of them are aged 35-39; more than any other age bracket.

Neil Howells, a builder of 60 years who runs a hardware shop, praised the close-knit community.

"We all know each other in the area and they're all very, very friendly," the 76-year-old said.

He said it was good that so many independent businesses were thriving, with very few chains to compete against.

Tesco Express is the only large retailer in the High Street.

Domino's had planned to open a takeaway in a former bank branch, but pulled out last year after hundreds of locals objected. The pizza chain said it withdrew its plans because of "limitations with the property".

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