Expert Office Advice

Stats and information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Derby.

Derby is a city nestled in the East Midlands in England in the shire county of Derbyshire. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent at the southern end of the Pennines. Measured by urban area, Derby is considered the 18th largest settlement in England.

Derby is an industrial city known for train manufacturing. For many years, Derby was a vital railway centre. Today, although much less important, the Derby Midland station still holds a strategic role in the rail network. Furthermore, Derby is heavily favoured as a possible site for a new national railway centre.

Population
233,700 – mid-year population estimate (2005)
Source: Office for National Statistics

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• 87.4% of the population is white.
• 91.5% were born in UK, 1.9% elsewhere in the EU and 6.7% were born outside the EU.
• 67.4% of the population call themselves Christians.
Source: ONS Census 2001

Unemployment/employment rate
• Derby has a high percentage of employment at 71.3%.
• It has a significant low unemployment rate at 5.6%.
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey (July 2005 – June 2006)

Average income/salary
₤518.7 – gross weekly pay
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Workplace Analysis 2006

Location within the UK and closest major location
• UK’s most central city
• Situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park in the north and the National Forest a short distance away to the south

Transport options to and within
• Derby is ideally located near the motorway network M1, main trunk routes and other motorways.
• Derby has an accessible mainline railway station which provides efficient services to London and connections to all major cities in the UK.
• A daily network of bus routes serves the entire Derby city.
• Short and long haul flights and budget airlines all operate from Nottingham East Midlands Airport, the second largest cargo handling airport in the UK.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Nottingham East Midlands Airport – 10 miles
• Birmingham Airport – 44 miles
• Manchester Airport – 75 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
Manufacturing is an integral sector in Derby’s local economy. Train manufacturing, the aerospace industries and chinaware production are key industries. However, in recent years, the service sector has since become the largest sector employing almost 62% of the total workforce. The arrival of companies engaged in the telecommunications and knowledge-based industries has signified the shift towards the services sector. Other emerging business sectors are high value engineering and the creative industries.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Rolls-Royce Plc, Toyota Manufacturing (UK)
• Delta Rail, Daher Sawley, Bombardier Transportation
• Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Co Ltd, Egg Plc, Pektron Plc

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Pride Park
• Eagle Centre
• Ascot Business Park
• Southgate Business Innovation Centre

Major or annual business-related events
• The Winter and the Summer CAMRA Beer Festivals held annually
• The Bloodstock Rock Festival

Awards
Local bus operator “Trent Barton” has won the “UK Bus Operator of the Year” award a number of times in recent years.

Restrictions
Pursuant to the Sunday Trading Act 1994, all shops can open without restrictions between Monday and Saturday. However, large shops must be registered with the city council for trading on Sunday.

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Business rates, service charges and other building-based charges in Derby are highly competitive.
• The Small Business Rate Relief allows for a reduction of up to 50% depending on the rateable value of less than ₤15,000.

3 best things about the location
• Derby is located in the heart of the UK thereby easily accessible from all major UK cities through a comprehensive road, rail and air network.
• Office rents within Derby are considered competitive alongside other cities within the East Midlands region.
• Derby has an advanced telecommunications network developed by British Telecom and other operators.

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