Expert Office Advice

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

Southampton, a unitary authority, is known for being the base to many luxury liners and for being the largest freight port on the Channel coast. It is also ranked as the seventh shopping centre in UK and hopes to even increase their status as a shopping centre by continuing with the third phase of the development of the West Quay Shopping Centre by 2008. The area is also very environmental friendly, being the only city in UK with its own geothermal power station.

Population
222,000 (ONS estimates – 2005)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• In 2001 Southampton had a higher proportion of 18-19 and 20-24 year olds compared to England and the South East due to the student population in the city.
• Ethnicity: White (92.4%), Mixed (1.5%), Asian or Asian British (3.8%), Black or Black British (1.0%), Chinese or Other (1.3%)
• Religion: Christian (65.6%), No religion (21.62%), Muslim (1.92%), Sikh (1.29%)

Unemployment/employment rate
• 52% are employed
• 4.78% are unemployed
• The rest of the population are either students, retired, homemakers or disabled.

Average income/salary
• £401.2 per week (ONS – resident-based 2006)

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Southampton is located in Southeast England
• Midway between Portsmouth and Bournemouth

Transport options to and within
• A lower proportion of Southampton residents were driving to work (53%) than the rest of the southeast region (59%) and instead used public transportation, which is an indication of a reliable public transport but also significantly congested peak hours.
• A major port, Southampton is very well connected to the rest of the country.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Southampton Eastleigh International Airport - 2.92 miles
• Bournemouth International Airport - 21.64 miles
• London Gatwick Airport - 55.81 miles

Dominating sectors / industries
• Public admin, education & health - 31.5%
• Finance, IT, other business activities - 24.7%
• Distribution, hotels & restaurants - 21.8%
• ONS annual business inquiry employee analysis 2005

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Ford

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• West Quay Shopping Centre
• Ocean Village development

Major or annual business-related events
• Sea City 2007 – April to October

Awards won by the location – business or otherwise
• Lowest carbon emitting city in UK

Other
• Development of city’s first skyscrapers on the waterfront.

Restrictions
• Licence charge for selling explosives, fireworks, petroleum, and for skin piercing
• Licence charge for business that offer credit to customers

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Unoccupied property rates
• Partly occupied property relief
• Small Business Rate relief
• Charity and registered community amateur sports club relief
• Non-profit making organisation relief
• Hardship relief
• Property used for the disabled

3 best things about the location
• Major port city
• Major shopping centre
• Clean and green environment

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