Expert Office Advice

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

Guildford, the county town of Surrey, covers about 104 square miles. Approximately 70% of Guildford lies within the “green belt” and much of its southern part is in the Surrey Hills, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This beautiful rural environment forms part of the distinctive character of Guildford.

Guildford is the regional administrative centre for the South East and a regional centre for business, education, shopping, culture and leisure. This combination makes Guildford a vibrant place to live, work or visit.

Population
132,200 – mid-year estimate for 2005 from the Office for National Statistics

Migration. immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• 89.3% of the population was born in the UK, 7.0% was born outside of EU and 3.7% was born elsewhere in EU.
• 95.9% is white.

Unemployment/employment rate
• 65.9% of the population is employed
• 1.7% is unemployed
• The rest of the population are either students, retirees, taking care of family, sick, disabled.
Source: National Census, 2001

Average income/salary
₤528.50
Source: New Earnings Survey 2003 Analyses by Region, County and Small Areas Office for National Statistics

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Located 30 miles to the southwest of London
• Halfway between London and Portsmouth

Transport options to and within
• Guildford is connected to London by excellent road and rail links.
• The location of Guildford provides fast access to major container ports and cross channel link at Southampton.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• London Heathrow Airport – 16.85 miles
• London Gatwick Airport – 18.42 miles
• London City Airport – 32.61 miles

Dominating sectors/industries
Guildford is a vibrant and growing commercial centre. Much of the town’s commercial development is focused on the growth of the service sector including retail, hotels, financial services and business, real estate. But more recently, the economy has been shaped by an emerging new technology sector. Guildford has a number of knowledge-based industries ranging from computer software, biotechnology, mobile communications and medical research. There has been a long term shift away from manufacturing. Tourism and leisure is likely to grow what with the increasing influx of tourists. Numerous hotels have been built or modernized to accommodate the visitors.

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Standard Life Healthcare, Cornhill Insurance
• Colgate- Palmolive, Ericsson, Avaya, Philips

Areas that are c0onsidered to be prime business locations
• Surrey Research Park
• Guildford Business Park
• Friary Centre

Major or annual business-related events
• The Surrey County Show, the biggest one day agricultural show in the country, is held annually in Guildford.
• The Guildford Cricket Festival is a yearly event where local businesses take the opportunity to host corporate events.

Awards won by the location – business or otherwise
• British Council’s Shopping Centre Environment Award – 1997
• The Experian Retail Centre Ranking placed Guildford in the top 20 of 1100 shopping centres surveyed in UK – 2003

Other
Surrey Satellite Technology, located in Guildford, plays a key role in Europe’s first mission to the moon.

Restrictions
• The Environmental Health Division carries out food safety inspections and training for people who handle food, noise pollution control, air quality monitoring and work place safety inspections.
• Activities that will need a license include taxi and private car drivers and vehicles, regulated entertainment, late night refreshments, animal boarding and breeding establishments and businesses regarding supply of alcohol.

3 best things about the location
• Guildford is located at the centre of a modern transportation network which is highly accessible to UK, Europe and the world market.
• Guildford is a premier shopping centre with a wide range of retailers.
• Guildford has a highly trained workforce.

Comprehensive list of Guildford office space including short term and serviced