Your future in the city that gave Gloucestershire its name
A unique heritage, a growing economy, a skilled workforce and excellent support for relocating or expanding businesses; that’s the City of Gloucester, which, with a population of approximately 111,300 (2005) lies at the heart of the county that takes its name. No surprise then, that this city, which shared in the invention of the jet engine, and is currently experiencing the fastest growth in Gloucestershire, offers so much to enlightened businesses looking for the perfect strategic relocation or start-up base.
Making business success possible
With its strong communications, quality of life, wide range of quality housing and proximity to the natural beauty of the Royal Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds, Gloucester is a great place for your business start-up or relocation. Historically, much of the city’s success came from its position on the River Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. Nowadays, the ongoing refurbishment of the docks for business and leisure purposes sums up the optimism surrounding this well-connected city. Add-in the country’s only heritage Urban Regeneration Company and a number of expanding industrial/commercial parks around Gloucester and you have the foundations for another Gloucestershire business success. Maybe you’ll be part of it too?
You only need to take a quick look at the map of Gloucester to appreciate the huge selection of business parks and trading estates clustered around the city – all conveniently close to the M5 motorway and linked to it by three major motorway junctions (M5 junctions 11, 11a and 12).
From the Kingsway and Waterwells business parks in the south, to Innsworth Technology Park in the north, Gloucester’s range of facilities (not forgetting a growing stock of city centre and suburban office accommodation) almost certainly has something to offer your relocating or start-up business.
A great place to live and work
When business is done for the day, both the city of Gloucester and the surrounding countryside offer the quality of life that you and your team will appreciate for quality relaxation. To the west, the Royal Forest of Dean lies just a few miles away; to the east, a short drive will find you in the heart of the Cotswolds. Alternatively, follow the River Severn or the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal out of town for unparalleled river scenery (and at certain times of year, a glimpse of the world famous Severn Bore) – the choice is yours.
Gloucester is one of only 30 UK cities to have been recently included in a national tourism campaign aimed at getting more Britons to take short breaks at home. It’s easy to understand why, when you consider the way Gloucester is quietly and confidently establishing itself as a centre for music and dance, with an active festival programme, a great live music scene and a ‘friendly, feel good atmosphere’.
Add in the city’s varied nightlife, from traditional seventeenth century pubs to modern cinema and leisure complexes, luxurious newly-developed waterside apartments in the rejuvenated docks, an impressive list of award-winning museums (including the National waterways Museum), a striking Norman cathedral, a dry ski slope and the Kingsholm home of European rugby union stars Gloucester Rugby Club. Yes, Gloucester is undoubtedly a great place to live and work.
Location, accessibility, hotels and conferencing
Just like neighbouring Cheltenham, only six miles (10 kilometres) away, Gloucester enjoys fast, efficient motorway connections with the rest of the UK, a centrally located railway station and similar proximity to Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff and Heathrow international airports and Gloucestershire Airport for business aviation services.
And as you’d expect from a progressive, business-focused growth centre, your off-site conferences, business meetings and training sessions are well provided for by the many traditional and modern hotels and other venues in Gloucester and the surrounding area.
The education, skills and training your business needs
With modern business working so closely with educational institutions, and with future business expansion needing a guaranteed supply of well-trained personnel, it’s not surprising that Gloucester, as well as having many excellent schools, is also the seat of Gloucestershire College, Gloucestershire’s largest further education collage, as well as the award-winning Oxstalls Campus of the University of Gloucestershire – with its renowned focus on sports and health science.
Economic profile
Population: 111,300 (2005) Source: ONS (Nomis) mid-2006 population estimates
Employment Rate: 56,200 Rate: 82% July 2006 - June 2007 (Source: Annual Population Survey ONS Crown Copyright Reserved))
Unemployment Rate: 2.1% February 2008 (Source: Claimant count: % of resident working age population ONS Crown Copyright Reserved)
Housing allocation 2006-2026: 11,500 (Source: Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West)
Whether you’re relocating for convenient access to the UK motorway network, links with the University of Gloucestershire or the Rugby, contact Invest in Gloucestershire now…