Expert Office Advice

Vital facts and key information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Swindon.

The Borough of Swindon located in South West England is part of the ceremonial county of Wiltshire. In 2002 the Swindon Borough Council was rated as a failing Council but is now a 2 star council due to changes in the political administration, which resulted in the formation of the Swindon 2010 50 Promises.

Population
184,000 (ONS Estimate 2005)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Ethnicity: White (95.20%), Mixed (1.14%), Asian or Asian British (2.13%), Black or Black British (0.7%), Chinese or Other (0.83%)
• Religion: Christian (70.07%), No religion (19.13%), Muslim (1.03%)
• The workforce mostly works in Lower managerial and professional occupations (19.14%), Semi-routine occupations (13.72%), Intermediate occupations (12.09%) and as Routine occupations (10.78%).

Unemployment/employment rate
• 39.43% are employed
• 2.46% are unemployed
• The rest of the population is either students, retired, homemakers or disabled.

Average income/salary
• £439.7 per week (ONS residence-based 2006)

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Located in the county of Wiltshire, England
• Bristol - 40 miles southwest
• Oxford - to the east

Transport options to and within
• Well connected to the rest of the nation by road, rail, and coach.
• Known for its roundabouts, especially the Magic Roundabout at the junction of Drove Road, Queens Drive and Fleming Way.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Gloucestershire Airport - 27.28 miles
• Bristol International Airport - 41.81 miles
• Southampton Eastleigh International Airport - 46.73

Dominating sectors / industries
• Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles - 18.52%
• Manufacturing - 17.38%
• Real estate; renting and business activities - 12.81%
• Transport storage and communication - 10.82%
Source: Census 2001 - Industry of Employment

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Honda
• BMW/Mini in Stratton
• Motorola
• Dolby Labs
• W H Smith
• Intel
• Lucent Technologies
• Zurich Financial Services
• Tyco Electronics

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• The Brunel Centre
• The Parade
• Greenbridge
• West Swindon Shopping Centre
• Stratton
• Orbital Shopping Park
• The Link Centre
• Oasis

Major or annual business-related events
• Swindon New Business Competition 2007 - open to businesses started after 1st August 2006 or are planning to start before 31st July 2007.

Awards
• Swindon Sewage Treatment Works Improvements - Commended at the IChemeE Awards Ceremony 2004
• Platform 4 at Swindon railway station given Station Excellence of the Year Award 2004

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Unoccupied property
• Small Business Rate relief
• Charity and Discretionary relief
• Hardship relief

3 best things about the location
• Strategically located in central-southern England.
• Numerous large national and international businesses stationed in the area.
• First class road and rail communications and commercial property.

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