Expert Office Advice

Vital stats and business information for companies considering relocation to or setting up an office in Cardiff.

Cardiff is the capital and the largest city of Wales. It is located in the south coast of Wales in the historic county of Glamorgan. It started out as a small town and eventually grew to become a major centre of culture, sport and history in the United Kingdom. Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales in 1955 and is today the 10th largest city in the UK.

Cardiff has experienced significant growth over the past decades. It has blossomed into a leading European capital and the main driver of growth in the Welsh economy. Today, Cardiff is a buzz of activity. Its impressive Millennium Stadium continuously plays host to the biggest names in the music industry and some of the greatest events in world sports thus increasing its international exposure.

Population
319,700 – Mid-2005 Population Estimate
Source: Office for National Statistics

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• 91.6% of the population are white.
• 92.4% are born in the UK while 5.5% are born outside the EU.
• Christians comprise 66.9% of the total population.
Source: ONS Census 2001

Unemployment/employment rate
• Employment stands at 70.4%.
• Unemployment hovers at 5.9%.
Source: ONS Annual Population survey (July 2005 – June 2006)

Average Income/salary
₤419 – gross weekly pay
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Workplace Analysis (2006)

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Bordered to the west by the rural district, Vale of Glamorgan, to the east by the city of Newport, to the north by the South Wales Valleys and to the south by Bristol
• Situated 155 miles west of London, 110 miles southwest of Birmingham and 40 miles southeast of Swansea

Transport options to and within
• Cardiff is located near the M4 and therefore easily accessible from all parts of the UK.
• It is served by an efficient rail network with 20 local train stations.
• Regular bus services link the centre of Cardiff to destinations around the country and the rest of the UK.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Cardiff-Wales Airport – 9.5 miles
• Swansea Fairwood Commercial Airport – 37.9 miles
• Birmingham International Airport – 90.2 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
The economy of Cardiff is dominated by the services sector. Public administration, education and health is the largest sector in Cardiff providing employment for roughly 32% of the city’s workforce. Cardiff is also the prime finance and business services centre in Wales employing about 20% of the city’s total workforce. The film, TV and multimedia sector has also seen significant growth in recent years. Retail plays an important role in Cardiff’s thriving economy. Cardiff has been named as one of the best shopping locations in the UK. The leisure and tourism industry is also on a roll as evidenced by new hotels, restaurants, the new Wales Millennium Centre (an impressive international arts centre) and Cardiff Bay (a modern sport and leisure complex). The manufacturing sector has experienced a decline in recent years but still plays a vital role in adding diversity to the services-dominant economy.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• finance and business services: ING Direct, Yes Loans and Mortgages
• film, TV and multimedia: BBC Wales, 34C
• information and communications technology: BT, ATL Telecom, Network Solutions
• manufacturing: NEG, AB Automotive Electronics
• contact centres: Legal & General, Halifax Card Services

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Cardiff Gate Business Park
• St David’s Centre
• Cardiff Business Technology Centre Ltd.
• Cardiff Medicentre

Major or annual business-related events
• Rugby World matches at the Millennium Stadium
• The Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival

Awards
• The world’s first Fairtrade Capital – March 2004
• Strategic Tourism Growth Area (STGA) – awarded by the Wales Tourist Board

Other
The Millennium Stadium will host at least eight soccer matches at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Restrictions
• Activities that require a license must be authorised either by applying for a premise license, club premise certificate or a Temporary Event Notice.
• Under street trading laws, streets may be designated as prohibited, license or consent streets to prohibit street traders from causing any inconvenience to persons using the streets.

Special benefits/dispensations
• The Cardiff Council Business Loan Fund for SMEs grants loans to any business depending upon the needs of the project.
• Occupants of qualified businesses with a rateable value of ₤6,000 or less that appears in a billing authority’s rural settlement are entitled to the Rural Rate Relief amounting to 50% of the full rates bill.

3 best things about the location
• Cardiff is well served by an extensive road and rail network which connects Cardiff to all parts of the UK and beyond.
• It enjoys continuous growth led by new constructions and the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay.
• Cardiff boasts of a vibrant and high quality of life amidst one of Europe’s greenest cities.

Comprehensive list of Cardiff office space including short term and serviced