Expert Office Advice

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

Located in Crawley, West Sussex, London Gatwick Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the world making it one of the world’s leading transport hubs. It is the second largest airport in London and the second busiest airport in UK after London Heathrow Airport. London Gatwick Airport has recently topped the 33 million passenger mark.

London Gatwick Airport covers 759 hectares and exerts a major influence on the economy of Crawley and its surrounding areas. It serves a major role in attracting inward investments into Crawley. It is the single most important element in the local economy creating thousands of jobs both directly in aviation and airline industries but also indirectly through businesses serving or supplying the airport or locating in the area because of the presence of a leading international airport. A development plan for the airport’s expansion as a single runaway is currently on the pipeline to keep up with an expected 40 million passengers a year by 2010/2011 and expanding business activities.

Population
98,500 – Crawley population mid year estimate for 2005
Source: Office for National Statistics

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Average age of the population is 35.
• 88.5% of the population is white British and white non-British.
• 88% is born in the UK.

Unemployment/employment rate
• 50.28% of the population is employed.
• 2.27% is unemployed.
Source: National Census 2001

Average income/salary
₤539.80
Source: New Earnings Survey 2003 Analyses by Region, County and Small Areas Office for National Statistics

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Situated halfway between London and Brighton
• Located 28 miles south of Central London, 22 miles north of Brighton and 3 miles northeast of the town centre

Transport options to and within
• London Gatwick Airport is directly linked to the M23 motorway at Junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton Road.
• Gatwick Express takes just half an hour to reach Central London. Its station is directly linked to the airport’s south terminal.
• Local bus services run direct to and from Gatwick Airport terminals into Crawley as well as other local destinations.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• London Heathrow Airport – 26.8 miles
• London City Airport – 29.7 miles
• Grimsby Binbrook Airport – 17.7 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
As business at London Gatwick Airport has expanded, business activities ancillary to the operation of the airport such as cargo handling and distribution centres, car parking have been developed. At the same time, many companies with business related to the airport have located within Crawley’s industrial areas. The core sectors in the London Gatwick area are high value manufacturing and advanced engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial and professional business services, aviation and related businesses such as tour operators, retail, hotel and leisure.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Virgin Atlantic, British Airways Holidays
• Schlumberger Electronics, BOC Edwards, Glaxo SmithKline

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• North and South Terminal of London Gatwick Airport
• Basepoint Business Centre
• Crawley Business Quarter

Awards
• Best UK Airport (Travel Weekly Globe Awards) – 2005, 2004, 2002
• Best Refurbishment Award (British Parking Award) - 2006
• Highly Commended in Best Public Project Category for Pier 6 (FX Interior Design Award) – 2006
• Structural Achievement Award for Pier 8 (Institution of Structural Engineers) – 2006

Special business benefits/dispensations
The Simple Utility Management Seminars (SUMS) are practical seminars aimed at helping companies reduce costs of doing business through resource efficiency.

3 best things about the location
• London Gatwick Airport is very well-served by public transport – trains, buses and coaches.
• Gatwick’s neighbourhoods provide decent and affordable housing.
• Gatwick is enjoying a robust economy with a low level of unemployment because of unprecedented amount of inward investments.

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