Expert Office Advice

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

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) contains many of the most exclusive residential districts in London. It was created in 1965 when the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea were joined.

Population
158,919 (Census data 2001)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Largest age group is people between the ages of 30 to 44 (28.01%).
• Huge majority of population live in their own homes (97.81%) with only 2.19% living in communal establishments.
• Ethnicity: Not too diverse with 78.6% of the population being white (50% of this is British), 4% Black African and 3% Black Caribbean.

Unemployment/employment rate
• Residence-based Unemployment rate approximately 3% (January 2000).

Average income/salary
• Average net income level - £602 per week
• Median income - £418 per week
Data from Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Housing Needs Study of 2005

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Located in the west side of Central London
• To the west of the City of Westminster.

Transport options to and within
• Excellent transport options throughout the Borough.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• London City Airport - 10.6 miles
• London Heathrow Airport - 11.5 miles

Dominating sectors / industries
• Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities - 28.18%
• Financial Inter-mediation - 17.17%
• Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles - 10.08%
Data from Census 2001 Statistics

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Portobello Road market
• For a comprehensive valuation service and advice on ownership of business property contact the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Valuers Department

Major or annual business-related events
• Chelsea Flower Show - May
• For Chamber of Trade and Commerce Events visit their website.

Awards
• Portobello Business Centre - Given a special award by the Kensington & Chelsea Chamber of Commerce in 2005
• Kensington and Chelsea College - Given Charter Mark Award in 2004
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Highways and Construction Division - Given Charter Mark Award in 2005

Restrictions
• Gambling Policy Act 2005 to take effect mid 2007.

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Small Business Rate Relief - lower rate multiplier (44.1 pence) for small businesses to be used in computing taxes
• Transitional Arrangements - limits the decrease and increase of tax by a certain percentage
• Empty Properties Relief - 50% of occupied rates
• Charitable and Discretionary relief - up to 80% of the rates due if property is used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes
• Hardship Relief - given upon the billing authority’s discretion

3 best things about the location
• The area has an outstanding international reputation, which is of course advantageous if you want to be globally competitive.
• Most densely populated local authority in the United Kingdom, meaning there’ll always be plenty of customer traffic.
• Affluent area with the largest number of high-earners (over £60,000) of any local government district in the country.

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