Expert Office Advice

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

Edinburgh is the capital and the second largest city in Scotland. It is nestled on the east coast of Scotland’s central lowlands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Its rugged landscape, Medieval and Georgian architectural edifices and numerous stone tenements have made it one of the most dramatic cities in Europe.

Edinburgh is considered to be one of the most prosperous cities in Scotland. Its economy is the strongest of any UK city outside London. As the centre of Scotland’s government and its legal system, most of the departments of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament are based in Edinburgh. Today, inward investment and business growth continues benefiting its citizens.

Population
457,830 – estimated population by sex and single year of age as of 30 June 2005
Source: General Register Office for Scotland (GROS)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• A high proportion of Edinburgh’s population at 13.3% is in the student age group (16-24 year olds).
• 95.9% of the population is white. Of the white population, non-Scottish is 18%.
• 78% of Edinburgh residents were born in Scotland, 12% was born in England and 5% elsewhere in Europe.
Source: GROS Key Demographics of the Residents of the City of Edinburgh Census 2001

Unemployment/employment rate
• 78% of the population is employed.
• 4.7% is unemployed.
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey (July 2005 – June 2006)

Average income/salary
₤469.8 – gross weekly pay
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Workplace Analysis 2006

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Situated 46 miles east of Glasgow and 105 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England
• Located on the east coast of Scotland’s central lowlands

Transport options to and within
• Edinburgh is serviced by a good network of bus services run by Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh.
• It does not have its own separate rail network but the National Rail System runs through the city.
• Edinburgh is a compact city thus walking and cycling are ideal.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Edinburgh Airport – 10 miles
• Glasgow International Airport – 55 miles
• St Andrews Leuchars Airport – 31.6 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
The economy of Edinburgh is largely based around the services sector centred around banking, financial services, education and tourism. Banking has always been a part of the economic life of Edinburgh. In fact, Edinburgh has emerged as Europe’s sixth largest financial centre. Manufacturing has never been a dominant economic sector but brewing and publishing are mainstays. Nowadays, the electronics industry is steadily gaining a foothold in Edinburgh. Tourism is another important industry. As a World Heritage Site and home of the famous Edinburgh festivals, tourists flock to the city year-round. Being the centre of government, the public sector plays a central role in Edinburgh’s economy.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, Scottish Widows
• Caledonian Brewery, NHS Scotland, Royal Mail

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Edinburgh Park
• Gyle Centre

Major or annual business-related events
• The Edinburgh International Science Festival, one of the most popular science festivals in the world, is held annually in April.
• The world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival is an annual feast of classical music, opera, theatre and dance.

Restrictions
Licensing for gambling, civic, entertainment, hair and skin, liquor, taxi and private hire are issued by the city council.

Special business benefits/dispensations
• The Edinburgh Business Loan Fund is an interest-free loan grant aimed at assisting the development of new and recently established businesses based in Edinburgh with maximum loans of up to ₤5,000 for any business.
• The Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme provides a guarantee against default on loans from banks and other financial institutions for small enterprises with sound business proposals that have failed to get conventional loans because of lack of security.

3 best things about the location
• Edinburgh’s economy is one of the fastest growing in Europe.
• It is the second largest financial centre in the UK after the City of London.
• Edinburgh is only about an hour’s flying time from Central London.

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