Expert Office Advice

Vital facts and key information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Cambridge.

The historic town (city) of Cambridge is the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire. It sits in the wider region of the East of England. The city of Cambridge is part of the area referred to as the “Cambridge Technopole” – a geographic area of in-depth high technology innovation activity covering the sub-regional Greater Cambridge hinterland of approximately 20-mile radius and the city of Cambridge.

Cambridge is also the home of the University of Cambridge, a world-class institution in scientific discovery. The unique blend of academic expertise and technology innovation makes Cambridge a prime location for any business.

Population
124,000 – Mid-2005 Population Estimate
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• White is the largest minority making up 89.4%.
• 80.8% of the population is born in the UK, 5.8% elsewhere in the EU and 13.3% outside the EU.
• 57.7% of the residents are Christians while 26.6% have no religion.
Source: ONS Census 2001

Unemployment/employment rate
• Employment rate is 70.8%.
• Unemployment rate is 6.5%.
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey (July 2005 – June 2006)

Average Income/salary
₤470.60 – gross weekly pay
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Workplace Analysis (2006)

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Located in the southeast of England surrounded by smaller towns and villages
• Situated 55 miles north of London and 80 miles northeast of Oxford

Transport options to and within
• Cambridge is generally pedestrian-friendly as most places can be reached by foot and much of the area is traffic-free.
• Cambridge is well served by local buses.
• Cambridge has excellent rail links with services to London and other destinations.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• London Stansted Airport – 22.5 miles
• London Luton Airport – 30.9 miles
• London City Airport – 47.3 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
The economy in the city of Cambridge is characterised by the growth of the services sector especially the hi-tech clusters. The number of hi-tech firms around Cambridge has grown tremendously over the past years. Hi-tech industries include information technology, mobile telecommunications, biotechnology and instrumentation. Distribution, banking and finance are also important economic sectors.

Manufacturing is the second largest employment sector after the services sector. Manufacturing is mostly important in rural communities. Agriculture plays a key role in the local economy in rural areas. Tourism generates millions and supports thousands of jobs in Cambridge. Aside from leisure tourists, business visitors and international conferences add to the tourism growth.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Acorn Computers, Sinclair, Lucent Technologies
• Pye Telecommunications, Marshall Aerospace

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Cambridge Science Park
• Cambridge Business park
• Cambridge Research Park
• St Johns Innovation Centre

Major or annual business-related events
• The Cambridge Science Week is held mid-March with experts holding lectures and talks on a wide range of scientific subjects.
• The Cambridge Enterprise Conference gathers authorities from some of the world’s finest business schools to give insights on successful financial, marketing and business strategies.
• The Cambridge Corporate Gateway is a programme of meetings with University of Cambridge researchers and new technology companies to facilitate observations into the latest technological updates and business opportunities.

Awards
• Greater Cambridge, with the city of Cambridge at its heart, was twice named “Region of Excellence”.
• In 1997, Microsoft founder Bill Gates upheld that Cambridge was fast becoming “a world centre of advanced technology”.

Restrictions
• A gaming machine license is required with respect to premises providing amusements with prizes by way of machines.
• Under the Licensing Act 2003, a license is needed to operate or organise events that include the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment and selling of hot food between 11 pm and 5 am.

Special business benefits/dispensations
• The Cambridge Enterprise Agency provides advice on starting up a company and sources of funding.
• Regional Venture Capital Fund (RVCFs) is a programme that provides risk capital finance in amounts of up to ₤500,000 to small and medium-sized enterprises who demonstrate growth potential.

3 best things about the location
• Cambridge has excellent road and rail transportation links.
• Cambridge boasts of a highly qualified workforce.
• Cambridge is a globally recognised centre of innovation, education and culture.

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